Hidalgo County’s Drainage District Board and Commissioners Court met Nov. 10, 2026, taking action on district projects, grants, contracts, staffing and other county business. Public comments raised concerns about county spending, restorative justice, river buoys and proposed border barriers near wildlife refuges.

Discussion Points

•A county presenter said the exact Symphony attendance figure was not available.
•Chapman warned that buoy structures could come loose during floods and obstruct infrastructure.
•Galindo said construction had stopped after an irrigation district contested land ownership and alleged canal damage.
•Galindo said federal officials planned to place a wall inside the refuge.
•He said the county did not control the project.
•McLarty asked how many residents attend the symphony and what the county funding supports.
•McLarty criticized abstentions and questioned county salary decisions, emergency medical transportation taxes and bond interest.
•The center described its services and partnership with county and community agencies.
•The Community Services Block Grant budget was based on the 2026 figure because the final federal number was not available.
•The county judge described quality of life as an economic development consideration and said the Fine Arts Conservatory supports college-credit arts courses with school districts.
•The court approved separate victim assistance and domestic violence grant items, as well as task-force overtime agreements.
•The LIHEAP service plan’s household count is a planning estimate, and the presenter said the program could serve more households.
•The presenter reported 2025 values, occupancy and development progress, and future zone balance.
•The presenter said actual service could approach 8,000 households and the plan includes more than 120 adult daycares.
•The service plan uses 6,712 households as a planning figure and an average expenditure of $1,043.24.
•Two parents described how the center supported their families after loss.
•Vasquez described barriers faced by people with past records and outlined possible support and education efforts.

Decisions

•The court approved the 2027 LIHEAP service plan.
•The court approved the Fine Arts Conservatory arts initiative.
•The court approved the listed grant and budget actions and the 2027 LIHEAP service plan.
•The court approved the proclamation recognizing November 2026 and Nov. 19, 2026.
•The court approved the Valley Symphony Orchestra arts initiative.

Directions

•A county presenter offered to follow up about attendance figures.
•Chapman asked the county to urge the International Boundary and Water Commission to seek removal and flood modeling.
•Galindo asked commissioners to support measures that protect the refuge and called for public input and scientific review.
•The proclamation encouraged community awareness and support for grieving children.
•Vasquez asked the county to discuss a coalition and said the project would continue outreach to businesses and county offices.

Nov

Mercedes City Hall Regular Commission Meeting 11/04/26

City of Mercedes commission meeting (Nov. 4, 2026) covered public comment on a proposed battery storage ordinance, parks scoreboard and LED upgrades, an update on the city manager search, purchase of license-plate-reading cameras funded by a $30,000 grant (matched by the city), selection of engineering firms under RFQ 2026-005, an animal-control MOU, and an executive session with no action.

Discussion Points

•Approval of minutes and waiver of final reading for franchise ordinance.
•Grant match totals; camera capabilities (LPR, IR, thermal); concealability and theft risk; need to map hotspots and consider lighting.
•Landing page content, outreach channels, application form and timeline; Nov. 13 deadline for application submissions.
•Legal redlines to ensure animals are treated appropriately; using multiple partner facilities for redundancy.
•Need for hazard‑mitigation analyses beyond state triggers; siting restrictions for single‑access roads; city previously had no regulations on battery farms; staff/fire marshal to continue monitoring legislative changes.
•RFQ ranking method; preserving local institutional knowledge; ability to rotate or supplement vendors for specialized work.
•Scope and lead time for scoreboard purchases; sponsorship revenue to offset costs; priority fields 1 and 4 for larger scoreboards.

Decisions

•Consent agenda approved.
•MOU approved.
•Ordinance 2026‑25 approved
•Proceed with outreach and centralized application process.
•Proceed with recommended top firms and retain broader pool.
•Proceed with scoreboard and LED retrofit purchases under budget thresholds.
•Purchase approved; staff to proceed with procurement and installation planning.

Directions

•Clerk to file minutes and handle final reading waiver.
•Consultant to provide compiled applicant list following deadline.
•Staff to coordinate with fire, police and code enforcement to identify installation locations and maintain an analysis of calls and results.
•Staff to engage top firms and consider local firms for projects requiring institutional familiarity.
•Staff to finalize and execute MOU; return additional agreements for consideration.
•Staff to issue purchase orders and begin installation; pursue sponsorship sales.
•Staff to review and update ordinance as needed to align with new state requirements and fire‑safety input.

Oct

Commissioner's Court

Hidalgo County Commissioners Court met on Oct. 27, 2026, approving a series of contracts, grant awards and procurement items, adopting an amended health-care funding district rate structure and a new local provider participation fund rule, and issuing proclamations including Down Syndrome Awareness Month.

Discussion Points

•A public hearing was opened and closed prior to the vote.
•A settlement motion for a specific civil action in the amount of $50,000 was presented for approval.
•Captain Longoria presented the OLS award and reimbursement authorization.
•Constable staff presented appointments and separate OLS awards.
•County counsel presented need to engage outside counsel for active litigation and sought approval to authorize the engagement letter.
•McClarty alleged commissioners increased their own salaries by 16.6% and questioned equity relative to staff and deputies.
•Program staff reported last year's graduates (216) and current enrollment nearing 700; county target set at 700 participants locally.
•She cited county interest payments on bonds as an example of fiscal priorities.
•Staff encouraged employer and justice‑system referrals.
•Staff explained the mandated segregation of payments into 6% net inpatient and 6% net outpatient, citing HHSC guidance.

Decisions

•Court adopted resolution implementing the amended rate and approved the LPBF rule.
•Court approved counsel engagement and authorized settlement payment.
•Court approved grant acceptances and certifications of revenue.
•Court recorded contribution and recognition.
•No action taken during open forum; comments recorded.

Directions

•County to provide contribution and consider model‑employer referrals.
•Legal staff to execute engagement and process settlement paperwork.
•Staff to establish LPBF bank account and follow implementation steps subject to legal review.

Oct

Mercedes City Hall Normal Commission Meeting 10/20/26

The Mercedes City Commission met Oct. 20, 2026, honoring local publisher Raul Garcia Jr., receiving a congressional proclamation for Ophelia Mata Lugo, approving funding and procurement for expressway lighting, awarding $5,000 to Livingstone Church programs, approving a $35,000 budget transfer to replace three rec‑center AC units, and accepting a mediation recommendation from executive session.

Discussion Points

•Commission approved the transfer to proceed with replacement.
•Commissioners discussed procurement options and whether this is sole source or if bids should be solicited; TxDOT had provided recommended vendors.
•Congressional proclamation read honoring a centenarian resident.
•Livingstone described program capacity (8–10 individuals), pantry operations, and need for security and shelter support.
•No fiscal implications — honorary recognition only.
•Proclamation text recited listing awards and service details.
•Rec center director described foundation and leaking coil issues and age of units.
•Staff recommended $5,000 from sponsorship list and offered to share grant resources.
•Vendor assessment found wiring/breaker issues and counted many outages; vendor recommended repairs rather than full fixture replacement.

Decisions

•Approved $5,000 sponsorship to Livingstone.
•Approved Austin Traffic proposal (quoted $83,625).
•Budget amendment approved; procurement to follow.
•Ceremonial recognition only.
•Proclamation presented and accepted.

Directions

•Livingstone to provide documentation and staff will coordinate grant lists.
•Staff to issue purchase order and coordinate TxDOT approvals and traffic control plans.
•Staff to procure replacement units and complete installation.

Oct

Mercedes City Special Joint Meeting 10/13/26

Presentation on a Preservation Central survey plan found 129 historic resources in Mercedes, recommended a citywide reconnaissance survey and identified funding for a first phase; council approved minutes with a correction and adjourned.

Discussion Points

•Member noted omission (Mr. Ayala) from members present list for prior minutes.
•Members discussed adaptive reuse, heritage tourism, and the need to prioritize the original town site and East Mercedes addition for a first phase.
•Motion to approve minutes with that correction was made and seconded.
•Myers presented methods, findings and recommendations for a reconnaissance survey covering historic property types and architectural styles in Mercedes.
•RFP has been posted and staff have received vendor questions requiring addenda; timeline planning for deliverables was discussed.
•Staff confirmed $50,000 local hotel/motel funds and $50,000 from the Texas Historical Commission CLG grant to support the reconnaissance survey.

Decisions

•Endorsed the consultant’s recommendation to prioritize the town site and East Mercedes in an initial reconnaissance phase (informal consensus at the meeting).
•Minutes approved as corrected (voice vote).
•Proceed with RFP and grant-funded reconnaissance survey (administrative decision; no formal ordinance recorded).

Directions

•Make the survey report and inventory available on the city website (already uploaded under Culture and Recreation).
•Proceed with RFP process; use $30,000 of city funds in current fiscal year and $20,000 in next fiscal year as budgeted.

Oct

Commissioner's Court

Hidalgo County Commissioners Court held a regular meeting that included proclamations for October observances, multiple contract and grant approvals (including a $679,257 motor-vehicle-crime grant), elections planning for the Nov. 3 ballot, several CDBG/road procurement items and public comments challenging commissioner pay and deputy salaries.

Discussion Points

•Appointments for central counting personnel presented and approved.
•County highlighted drug takeback locations and recent collection totals.
•Court confirmed start date and compliance with existing agreements.
•DA's office emphasized protective orders and victim services.
•Early-voting dates and poll times clarified.
•Grant amount ($679,257) and appropriation ($815,108) described.
•Head Start described RFP process and recommended Blue Cross Blue Shield.
•Medical community and survivors urged earlier screening and community support.
•MOU with Region 1 ESC for poll-worker recruitment approved.
•Parcel purchase and large paving estimate for Mile 6 West Road were approved to proceed with conditions.
•Participating municipal agencies were listed; appropriation for those agencies will be presented later.
•Public criticism of elected-official salary increases and consultant spending.
•Sheriff's Association presented retention and compensation concerns for deputies.
•Small-award contracts for geotechnical testing and engineering were recommended and approved.
•Staff asked to refer refund-specific questions to the tax assessor-collector.
•Urban County program authority under HUD and state procurement rules.

Decisions

•Authorization to negotiate approved.
•Central counting appointments and MOU approved.
•Contracts and land purchase authorized subject to legal/contractual safeguards.
•Grant acceptance and revenue certification approved.
•Proclamations approved by unanimous voice vote.

Directions

•Elections office to post locations, sample ballots and maintain staffing updates.
•Legal review and final contract execution required before work begins.
•Proceed with negotiation and legal review.
•Staff to present appropriation entries for participating agencies in a future meeting.
•Tax assessor-collector to provide refund details upon request.

Oct

Commissioner's Court 10/13/2026

Hidalgo County Commissioners Court met in October 2026 to adopt multiple proclamations (Breast Cancer Awareness, Domestic Violence Awareness, Red Ribbon Week), approve contracts and grants including a $679,257 task-force grant, consider procurement and HUD-funded urban-county items, receive an elections update, and hear public comment on deputy pay and county spending.

Discussion Points

•A survivor from Mujeres Unidos spoke in public comment about sharing stories and supporting survivors.
•Court approved appointments and MOU.
•Court approved authorization to negotiate with top-ranked vendor.
•Court approved award and instructed staff to obtain bonds before execution.
•Court approved limited change-order authority (up to $50,000) and two professional-services awards.
•DA's office presented protective-order statistics (1,216 applications through the DA's office this year) and urged community coordination.
•Dr. Jennifer Mendoza Culbertson presented national incidence/mortality figures and local support.
•Early voting dates and hours were specified; staffing and MOU recommended.
•Head Start reviewed RFP process and compliance with procurement code.
•Procurement staff presented the low-bid recommendation and noted contingency on required bonds.
•Public comment urged review of deputy compensation and retention.
•Sheriff's Office presented a grant acceptance request and revenue certification for the FY2027 task-force grant.
•Texas Oncology urged screening and awareness among Valley women.
•Urban County program staff explained solicitation authority and environmental review responsibilities under HUD rules.

Decisions

•Appointments and MOU approved.
•Authorize negotiation; proceed to contract.
•Contract award approved contingent on bonds.
•Grant acceptance approved.
•Proclamation adopted.
•Resolutions and awards approved.

Directions

•Staff to complete contracting subject to legal review.
•Staff to confirm bonds and proceed with contracting.
•Staff to present appropriation details for participating agencies at a future meeting.

Sep

Commissioner's Court

Hidalgo County Commissioners Court convened for a regular session featuring proclamations (procurement award, mental health and suicide awareness, PA Week, manufacturing month), multiple departmental reports, several contract and purchase approvals, Head Start grant submissions, public comments urging larger employee and deputy pay increases, an elections update about poll worker recruitment, and closed-session-directed legal engagements and property actions.

Discussion Points

•County attorney and clerk presented statutory basis for competitive-bid exemptions and summarized pending litigation items; real-estate acquisition terms were read into the record.
•Elections office presented registration and early-voting dates, reported poll-worker application counts and fallback staffing options.
•Head Start presenters summarized program goals, eligibility, and need for one-time funding; emphasized deadlines and signature needs.
•Presenters emphasized early screening, resource guide distribution and destigmatization.
•Public commenters highlighted perceived disparities in raises between elected officials and staff and documented personnel safety risks and retention challenges among deputies.
•Purchasing director thanked staff and named specific staff members for contributions.
•Staff explained procurement scoring and cooperative purchasing options; a public commenter questioned prioritization of funds versus employee raises.

Decisions

•Authorizations for legal engagements, real-estate purchase and settlement approved.
•Court approved contracts and purchases as presented.
•Court approved related contracts subject to legal review.
•Court approved the proclamation recognizing the procurement award.
•Court authorized grant application submission and reappointments.
•No immediate change to compensation policy took place during the meeting.
•Proclamations approved; no appropriations made.

Directions

•Elections staff to provide recruitment materials to commissioners for public outreach; coordinate with county HR to identify fallback staff.
•Judge to sign documents prior to submission deadline.
•Proceed with engagements subject to compliance and auditor review; county treasurer authorized to issue earnest-money after auditing.
•Staff to share resource guide and promotional materials with county offices and partners.

Sep

Mercedes City Commission Special Meeting 9/22/26

The Mercedes City Commission held a special meeting Sept. 22, 2026. Commissioners heard public comment about a $7 phone service fee on water payments, got multi-year street-improvement and equipment updates funded by certificate of obligation and urban-county grants, approved budget and tax-rate ordinances on second reading, and selected Altiva Management Group to run the city-manager search.

Discussion Points

•Commissioners acknowledged the concern and said they would look into it.
•Commissioners described sandbag-machine capacity issues and the need for a centralized pick-up location.
•Commissioners insisted drainage be addressed to avoid premature failure of overlays.
•Commissioners weighed local knowledge versus price, interim support and guarantees.
•Concerns raised about potential conflicts of interest where firm principals have roles in nearby organizations.
•Equipment list includes tractors/vacuum trucks, milling/paving machines, long‑reach excavator and brush truck.
•Lease program terms and manufacturer warranties were discussed; brush truck to be purchased.
•Motion to approve was moved and seconded; no debate recorded.
•Public comment recounted an elderly customer being charged a $7 service fee when paying by phone.
•Staff listed projects for 2024–26 and noted environmental approvals pending for later years.
•Staff said machines exist in precincts and can be loaned during declared emergencies, but tracking and capacity are concerns.
•Two ordinance items presented on consent agenda for 2nd and final reading (budget and tax-rate).

Decisions

•Altiva Management Group selected; Clear Career named alternate.
•Ordinances adopted on second and final reading via consent agenda.

Directions

•Clerk/Finance to publish adopted ordinances and update fiscal records.
•Decide operator hires and training for in‑house paving.
•Staff to examine multi-bag machine options and report back in the next budget cycle or emergency-planning session.
•Staff to negotiate contract with Altiva and arrange community visits and candidate interview schedules.
•Staff to provide procurement and warranty details.
•Staff to review the phone-service fee practice for water payments (implied; no formal motion recorded).
•Staff to track environmental approvals and include drainage contingency planning.

Sep

Hidalgo County Commissioners Court - September 15, 2026

Hidalgo County Commissioners Court and the Trini District Board met in a joint session to receive audits and financial reports, approve multiple grants and contracts, advance ARPA and procurement items, and set the county budget and tax-rate adoption for next week. Presentations included VA suicide-prevention signage, opioid awareness (Narcan) programs, and a Domestic Relations "Caring Connections" donation closet. Several routine consent items and large construction contracts were approved.

Discussion Points

•Auditors noted two prior-year findings were cleared this year.
•Audit team described unmodified opinion and highlighted four significant deficiencies and two findings in single-audit testing.
•Commissioners asked about logistics and contact information; office provided phone number and website location.
•Commissioners reminded of quorum requirement to adopt tax rate.
•County health described Narcan vending machines and distribution counts.
•Motor-vehicle revenue and transaction counts for 2025 were presented.
•Office explained families often lack essentials and that donations could relieve short-term needs.
•Purchasing staff presented the CRC construction contract and supporting documents.
•Staff previewed revenue estimates, fund balances and proposed personnel/equipment changes.
•Tax-office and collection-firm presentations included totals, outreach metrics, and the composition of the delinquent roll.
•Urban County program presented low-bid recommendation for housing contract.
•VA requested donated signs for public locations and county buildings.

Decisions

•Adoption session and tax-rate vote set for Sept. 22
•Court accepted the county audit report.
•Court approved donation and recognized program efforts.
•Court approved donation-based closet with no county purchase funds.
•Court approved the ARPA revision and contract awards.
•Presentations received; no formal policy change recorded.

Directions

•Accept the VA donation and coordinate signage placement and Narcan program continuation.
•Approve the donation-closet initiative and coordinate outreach for donations.
•County auditor to coordinate corrective action plan for single-audit findings.
•Proceed to contract execution and ensure required bonds/insurance are provided.
•Staff asked to track impacts of appraisal-district fee increases and to continue interagency coordination on collection practices.
•Submit budget to county clerk on Sept. 16; schedule adoption and tax-rate vote for Sept. 22.

Sep

Minutes for CC CONSENT AGENDA REGULAR MTG (09/22/2026)

Hidalgo County accounts-payable register for Sept. 16–22, 2026 lists a grand total of $9,186,204.80, including $6.23M in checks and $2.95M in internal payroll transfers; several large single payments to vendors and law firms are visible.

Discussion Points

•Direction: consult county legal/claims files for further explanation if needed.
•Document provides transaction-level accounting for the week and is not a policy decision or motion.
•Many law-office and claim payments are recorded; the register does not give case-level context.
•Payroll-related internal transfer totals presented as clearing items; no personnel-level data in the register.
•Several single payments exceed typical operating levels and may correspond to vendor contracts, legal-fee settlements or capital disbursements.

Sep

Commissioner's Court

Hidalgo County Commissioners Court met to adopt the 2027 budget and set the 2026 tax rate, approve county contracts and grants, recognize community programs (including a Texas Mission of Mercy dental event and GEAR UP Week), consider personnel and purchasing actions, hear public comments, and hold executive session items.

Discussion Points

•Budget presenter reported general fund total of $438,818,815 and a $900,000 increase for Elections restricted funds.
•Event scale (expecting to evaluate ~800 patients), pre-screening completed (~300), local partners providing logistics and funding ($60,000 CSBG).
•Multiple WIC-related awards and revenue certifications presented for acceptance and appropriation.
•Procurement of Wi-Fi service, Mile 2 West engineering ranking and negotiation, and fitness-court purchase for Precinct 4; some votes included abstentions.
•Rodriguez requested support for a crisis safe space and a scholarship program; McClary alleged disproportionate raises for elected officials versus staff and questioned property-tax increases.
•Scope of GEAR UP programming (multi-year grants, 5,269 students impacted in current cycle).

Decisions

•Adoption of 2027 annual budget; adoption of tax-rate components (M&O 0.5194; debt 0.0497; total 0.5691).
•Approved procurement items and authorized negotiation and real-estate closing authority.
•Court approved acceptance and certification for listed WIC contracts.
•No change to budget or raises during the meeting; motions proceeded as scheduled.
•Proclamation adopted.
•Resolution adopted; county to support event as described.

Directions

•Adopt departmental budgets and proceed to record votes for tax-rate components.
•County to continue logistical support and coordination with TMOM partners.
•No formal direction recorded to staff to act on Rodriguez's proposal during the meeting.
•Purchasing to proceed with contract negotiation and final execution following audit review.

Sep

Mercedes City Commission Regular Meeting 9/15/26

The Mercedes City Commission met Sept. 15, 2026. Commissioners approved consent items and appointments, heard a first reading of the FY26-27 budget (finance director described a $16,000,000 balanced budget with across‑the‑board increases), debated parks projects including a proposed splash pad and dome pickleball use, and authorized moving several capital park projects forward.

Discussion Points

•Appointments to Mayor Pro Tem and Building & Standards Board were approved.
•Castile offered volunteer coaching and said portable courts have worked in nearby cities.
•Clark proposed using the Dome/Safe Center for year‑round indoor pickleball and estimated $1,500–$2,000 initial equipment costs.
•Commissioners disagreed over fencing/access and whether to charge admission; many favored free public access if feasible.
•Commissioners separated street overlay presentations from budget discussion to clarify funding sources.
•Hernandez said the proposed budget is balanced at $16,000,000 and detailed personnel and capital priorities.
•Irrigation repair and field infill work to improve drainage and playability.
•IT backup/disaster recovery renewal and a five‑year elevator maintenance contract were approved; staff reported negotiated pricing for the elevator contract.
•LED retrofit for four baseball fields and electrical upgrades with smart controllers.
•Pool‑tied option leverages circulation system and lowers cost (packet shows $110,000 assigned).
•Scoreboard replacements at the dome and smaller repairs (painting, dugouts).
•Standalone splash pad estimated at roughly $300,000, with higher site preparation and retention needs.

Decisions

•All listed appointments and contract renewals were approved by voice vote.
•Budget retains $110,000 allocation for initial splash pad planning; no final site selection made.
•Commission approved budget inclusion for projects and supported moving forward within identified funding.
•Commission approved first reading of the FY26‑27 budget ordinance.
•No formal action taken; staff follow‑up only.

Directions

•Parks staff to follow up with residents to discuss feasibility and contact details.
•Refine cost breakdowns and present options with clear access/fencing implications.
•Staff to continue planning both pool‑tied and standalone options and pursue grants for HEB Park.
•Staff to finalize appointments in official records and execute contracts as budgeted.
•Staff to present street overlay project details next week and to establish construction accounts to process grant outlays.
•Staff to refine timelines and procurement steps, and to present parking overlay details next week.

Sep

Commissioner's Court

Hidalgo County Commissioners Court and Drainage District No. 1 met to accept annual audits, review tax-collection and motor-vehicle reports, consider the 2026 proposed tax rate (public hearing closed with no speakers), discuss the 2027 budget timetable, approve several grants and construction contracts, and hear public comments including criticism of proposed commissioner pay increases.

Discussion Points

•Auditors highlighted unmodified opinion and noted four significant deficiencies; staff noted need for continued monitoring of health-benefit fund.
•Change directives and orders for juvenile facility were described and approved.
•Commissioners acknowledged the role of collection strategy in securing revenue for county services.
•Commissioners approved proclamations and the donated signage.
•Counsel and tax office presented collection numbers and outreach tactics; commissioners asked for breakdowns of 65+ deferrals.
•County Auditor presented revenue estimates to support 2027 budget; court acknowledged fund-balance cushion.
•DRO explained families' needs and the items intended for the closet; commissioners asked about access and donation logistics.
•Public concern about the relative size of raises for elected officials vs. staff, and the optics for county employees and taxpayers.
•Public hearing on proposed tax rate had no speakers and was closed.
•Purchasing presented the successful bid and recommended awards; Urban County staff presented ranking grids and negotiation authority for engineering contracts.
•Staff announced the Willacy County project notice to proceed and the expected $1.4M return; staff reviewed 2027 draft budget items.
•VA requested placement of 988 signage in county locations; health department reviewed Narcan distribution and early dispensing numbers.

Decisions

•Court accepted the audit by voice vote.
•Court accepted the Drainage District audit and approved consent items related to projects and change orders.
•Court approved contract awards and change orders by voice vote.
•Court approved donation and proclamations by voice vote.
•Court approved the donation-based closet; no county funds requested.
•No compensation vote taken during this session.
•No formal action required; report received.

Directions

•Auditor to finalize single-audit follow-up and provide required corrective-action responses.
•Construction managers to implement approved change directives and continue reporting.
•County communications to track and schedule sign placement in county facilities.
•District to coordinate reimbursements for reinvestment in Hidalgo County drainage projects.
•DRO to coordinate donation collection and maintain an inventory list; provide contact phone number for donations.
•No immediate action; commissioners noted the budget process and that compensation decisions will be finalized with the adopted budget.
•Proceed to execute contracts and issue notices to proceed after required permitting and bonding.
•Public Health to continue Narcan distribution and provide follow-up metrics.
•Staff to advance the 2027 budget to public inspection and provide equipment purchase justification.
•Staff to monitor self-funded health plan and return with options if liabilities increase.
•Staff to provide a detailed breakdown of aged accounts, particularly 65+ deferrals and homestead exemptions, for budget planning.

Sep

Hidalgo County Commissioners Court - September 01, 2026

Hidalgo County Commissioners Court and Drainage District met to handle routine business including project procurements and payments, proclamations, several grant acceptances, a public hearing setting a 6% hospital assessment rate, a public forum on pay and budget priorities, adoption of a no-new-revenue tax rate (0.5691), and an update about a courthouse-area vehicle accident and inspections.

Discussion Points

•Acknowledgement of rapid response by sheriff's office, facilities, fire marshal and public affairs teams.
•Announcement that Rambo Drain feasibility and EA cleared Assistant Secretary of the Army and moved to OMB.
•Approved acceptance, appropriation, and required matching transfers.
•Calls for higher deputy pay to improve recruitment/retention.
•Concerns that proposed elected-official raises outpace staff raises, undermining trust.
•Court approved 6% rate and authorized collection; quarter due dates were set.
•How the no-new-revenue rate is calculated and its effect on levy and taxpayers.
•Michael Neal explained assessment uses hospital net patient revenue as required by state law.
•Next step is a FONSI; district intends to pursue presidential budget placement once FONSI received.
•Presented FY25 JAG award and Vehicle Crime Prevention award totals and Hidalgo Sheriff's allocations.
•Staff estimated approximately $3.3M in revenue difference versus a higher benchmark rate.
•Structural engineer inspections following the incident; coordination with City of Edinburg needed for alternate routing/occupancy.

Decisions

•Annual assessment rate set at 6%; collection dates established; motions approved.
•Court adopted no-new-revenue tax rate 0.5691; set schedule for budget filing and adoption.
•District approved general operations and moved to next administrative step.
•Grants accepted and appropriations approved.
•No immediate salary action during this session.
•Proceed with inspections; opening contingent on city compliance signoff.

Directions

•Comments to be considered in upcoming budget deliberations.
•Continue coordination and await city signoff before reopening the courthouse area.
•Continue coordination with Army Corps and district staff; pursue FONSI and federal appropriations.
•File proposed budget on Sept. 16; agenda to adopt both budget and tax rate on Sept. 22.
•Sheriff's Office and county finance to process award paperwork and transfers.
•Tax assessor-collector to collect; Health Dept. to coordinate reporting and implementation.

Sep

Mercedes City Commission Regular Meeting 9/1/26

The Mercedes City Commission met to approve consent items including rezoning and board changes, set the FY2026–27 tax rate at 0.7850, approve several sponsorship and grant requests (including VIDA and the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show), authorize a parks grant letter of intent, renew a government crime insurance policy, and direct staff to negotiate a new solid-waste contract after presentations and an executive session.

Discussion Points

•City secretary explained McAfee coverage for credit-card fraud; policy terms provided.
•Coastal Bend Waste proposed local yard, local hiring, next-business-day missed-pickup recovery and projected economic ripple effects.
•Commission entered executive session for procurement deliberations; staff later recommended negotiating with Waste Connections Texas.
•Commissioner questions and brief public hearing.
•Incumbent provider emphasized long-standing local presence and lower pricing sensitivity for residents.
•LOI deadline end of September; project not selected yet; potential projects include inclusive playground and trail improvements; awards up to $500,000.
•Motion to renew and approval by voice vote.
•Opportunity to pair with Texas Parks & Wildlife matching funds.
•Organizer presented claimed economic-impact ($2,028,000,000) and attendance figures (multiple numbers cited, including 375,000).
•Presentation of recommended rate by finance director (Meredith Hernandez).
•Staff indicated sponsorship amount to be reflected at $12,000 and recommended approval.
•Student testimony from a current VIDA participant on program benefits.
•VIDA served 13 participants vs. benchmark of 5; UTRGV multiplier study cited showing $15.69 return per dollar.

Decisions

•Adopt tax rate 0.7850 for FY2026–27
•Allocate $25,000 to VIDA from the sponsorship budget.
•Approve sponsorship renewal for the Livestock Show.
•Authorize staff to negotiate with Waste Connections Texas.
•Authorize submission of LOI to Valley Baptist Legacy Foundation.
•Renew McAfee government crime insurance policy.

Directions

•Parks director to prepare project scope and cost estimates for LOI submission.
•Staff to enter negotiations with Waste Connections and return with proposed terms.

Sep

Minutes for CC REGULAR AGENDA SPECIAL MTG (09/01/2026)

Hidalgo County Commissioners Court proclaimed September 2026 as National Alopecia Areata Awareness Month to raise public awareness and support research into treatments and a cure.

Discussion Points

•Proclamation text describes Alopecia Areata, prevalence estimates, lack of cure, and available treatments.

Decisions

•County Commissioners Court proclaims September 2026 as National Alopecia Areata Awareness Month (approved Sept. 1, 2026).

Sep

Minutes for CC CONSENT AGENDA SPECIAL MTG (09/01/2026)

Hidalgo County accounts-payable register for Aug. 19–Sept. 1, 2026 lists more than $16.3 million in disbursements across checks, ACH and internal transfers, with multiple single checks and EFTs in the six-figure and seven-figure ranges. The register was produced as an approval packet on Sept. 1, 2026.

Discussion Points

•Export metadata identifies the operator, timestamp, report name and selection criteria for the historic extract.
•Internal transfers include pooled cash, special revenue corrections and payroll clearing items.
•Payroll totals and tax/withholding remittances are recorded; supporting line items include IRS tax payments and one-time merit payouts.
•Register includes totals for checks, ACH and internal transfers; per-check detail follows in the listing.
•Several seven-figure and six-figure checks are recorded; register lacks inline contract or recipient detail for some entries.
•Totals reconcile to the register’s Grand Total Transfers figure.
•Vendor roster includes utilities, IT, medical providers and municipal partner payments; many vendor names repeat across pages.

Decisions

•Register prepared for approval on Sept. 1, 2026; no recorded approval outcome in text.

Sep

Commissioner's Court

Hidalgo County Commissioners Court met for routine business including proclamations, contract approvals, a public hearing setting a 6% hospital assessment for the Health Care Funding District, adoption of a no-new-revenue tax rate (0.5691) and scheduling of the fiscal-year budget timeline; public commenters urged pay raises for deputies and county staff.

Discussion Points

•Approval of catalytic-converter theft prevention grant and internal transfers
•Campos outlined recruitment and retention challenges and local pay comparisons
•Commissioners approved rate and collection mechanism
•Commissioners confirmed road-and-bridge funds designation paperwork had been filed
•Coordination with City of Edinburg required for alternate routing and occupancy approvals
•County exploring local contract management with Corps to control costs
•County will pursue a FONSI, then seek presidential budget funding
•Court recorded the vote and scheduled budget public-inspection and adoption dates
•Feasibility report and environmental assessment moved to OMB after assistant secretary approval
•McClarty questioned equity between elected-official raises and county employee pay in light of proposed tax increases
•Officials recognized quick response by sheriff, facilities, public affairs and IT staff
•Presentation of Byrne JAG award amount and requested certifications
•Presentation of task force grant totals, sheriff's allocation and cash matches
•Presentation on statutory basis for assessment (net patient revenue) by Michael Neal
•Presentations described condition prevalence, community supports, and local events
•Public hearing opened and closed with no additional speakers after presentation
•Structural engineers inspected impact and ancillary areas; no structural damage apparent so far
•Student delegates and community organizers spoke on program benefits
•Tax office explained no-new-revenue calculation and difference to last year's rate

Decisions

•Adopt no-new-revenue tax rate 0.5691
•Grants accepted and certifications approved
•No closure decision at this meeting; contingency planning to continue
•Proclamations approved by voice vote
•Set annual assessment rate at 6% and authorized collection by tax assessor

Directions

•Authorize county judge to sign required documents, certify revenues, and process inner-fund transfers
•Await and circulate final engineering inspection report
•Continue coordination with City of Edinburg for routing and occupancy sign-off
•Continue coordination with USACE Galveston District and OMB; await FONSI and letter confirmation
•File proposed budget for public inspection on September 16; adopt budget and tax rate on September 22
•Set quarterly assessment due dates
•Tax assessor to collect mandatory payments and certify revenues

Sep

Workshop

Hidalgo County Commissioners Court workshop reviewed the status of the proposed 2027 general fund budget, including staff estimates of total requests, a recommended subtotal from budget staff and a projected shortfall; commissioners set a filing deadline and approved a procedural motion.

Discussion Points

•Budget staff presented totals and initial recommendations for the 2027 general fund.
•Confirmation that filing deadline is Sept. 16 and that proposed budget will be presented in two weeks.
•Judge asked for a motion to 'turn to work' and a participant moved to waive.
•Staff reported a scenario based on adopting a no-new-revenue property tax rate and cited budget cushion impacts.
•Staff will finalize outstanding items in the next days to meet the deadline.

Decisions

•Motion carried by voice vote.

Loading meetings…