By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
Here’s what happened at the meeting:
All five members of commissioners court were present.
Court proclaims March as Procurement Month
• Commissioners court unanimously accepted the State of Texas Proclamation issued by
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott proclaiming the month of March as Procurement Month and
recognizing County Purchasing Agent Melissa Vasquez and members of her staff.
Court approves letter of support for Ports-To-Plains Corridor
• Commissioners court unanimously approved a letter of support for the planned Ports-
To-Plains project for Fiscal Year 2026, as requested by the Del Rio Chamber of
Commerce. The court approved the letter of support with a caveat: It would not include in
its letter support for the city of Del Rio’s current plans to build a second international
bridge northwest of the existing international bridge, since the court has voiced previous
opposition to the city’s plans.
Court approves raising limits on hotel fees for Austin advocacy trip
• Commissioners court unanimously approved raising limits for hotel fees for a planned
trip by commissioners who will attend Val Verde County Day in Austin, Texas, next
month. The limit for hotel fees was raised to $380.
Court continues its support for CASA of Val Verde County
• Commissioners court took no action on an agenda item regarding CASA of Val Verde
County, but heard an update on the program. CASA of Val Verde County is part of a
nationwide children’s advocacy program whose members work in the courts to represent
the interests of children who have been the victims of abuse or neglect. The court in
December 2024 voted to provide $20,000 in financial assistance to the group, and County
Judge Lewis G. Owens Jr. told the court on Monday the memorandum of understanding
between the organization and the county has been signed, and the program will move
forward.
Court approves replacing door control at district courthouse
• Commissioners court unanimously voted to replace the Hubman door access control at
the state district courthouse on South Main and Broadway streets with a new Paxton
system at a cost of $1,150.07, as requested by Ramiro Barrera, the county information
technology director.
Court approves upgrade of email account encryption
• Commissioners court unanimously approved upgrading 55 accounts from Microsoft
0365 G1 tier to G3 tier to meet the email encryption requirements of some of its users.
Ramiro Barrera, the county’s information technology director, told the court the
estimated cost is a pro-rated amount through the end of September of $4,290.
Court awards contract for improvements to USDA pens
• Commissioners court unanimously approved the award of a contract to DLP
Construction and Maintenance for improvements to the USDA pens. Purchasing Agent Melissa Vasquez noted DLP had the highest scored
proposal after the county had advertised for requests for proposals for the pen
improvements. Vasquez said the project will be funded from the USDA improvements
account and is located in Precinct 4.
Court approves purchase of playground equipment
• Commissioners court unanimously approved the purchase of playground equipment in
the amount of $55,736 for a park in Precinct 4. County Purchasing Agent said the
procurement method is through a CO-OP Contract Buyboard and funding for the
equipment will come from the Precinct 4 account.
Court approves contract for irrigation system at Alcoa Fields
• Commissioners court unanimously approved the award of a contract to The Green
Company to upgrade the irrigation system at the Alcoa Little League Fields in the amount
of $43,458. County Purchasing Agent Melissa Vasquez said funding for the irrigation
system project will come from the county’s ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act)
parks/fairgrounds fund.
The writer can be reached at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com .
