By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
All five members of the Val Verde County Commissioners Court were present at the start of the meeting. Commissioner Pct. 2 Juan Carlos Vazquez left the meeting at 9:36 a.m.
Court approves application for trail projects
Commissioners Court members voted 5–0 to approve two separate resolutions authorizing applications for Texas Parks & Wildlife Department grants for trail projects on the county’s SE Ranch property east of Del Rio. One application seeks a $300,000 grant for a non-motorized trail project, which would require a 20 percent county match of $75,000, for a total project cost of $375,000. The second application seeks a $499,999 grant for a motorized trail project, which would require a 20 percent match of $125,000, for a total project cost of $624,000.
Court votes to set up committee to plan office space assignments
Commissioners Court members voted 5–0 to rescind a prior court order establishing a committee made up of Commissioner Pct. 3 Gustavo “Gus” Flores, Jaime Chapa, and former Val Verde County Clerk Generosa “Janie” Ramon that had been tasked with formulating a plan for office space assignments.
Court advised county cannot replace vandalized mailboxes
Commissioners Court members took no formal action following discussion of a request from a Hold Up Pass resident seeking repair or replacement of a community mailbox damaged by vandals. County Judge Lewis G. Owens Jr. said similar break-ins have occurred in Precincts 2 and 3. County Attorney David Martinez advised the court that public funds cannot be spent for private purposes unless a public purpose is established. A U.S. Postal Service supervisor told the court the USPS will repair or replace the mailboxes, though the process will take time because replacements are not kept in local stock. The resident expressed frustration that neither the county nor USPS could take immediate action, forcing her to travel to Del Rio to retrieve mail.
Court postpones discussion, action on office space and county buildings
Commissioners Court members voted 4–0 to table discussion and possible action regarding office space and control of county buildings. Commissioner Pct. 3 Fernando Garcia, who made the motion, requested the item be brought back at the court’s next meeting.
Court approves installation of light on Hold Up Pass
In a 4–0 vote, the court approved an agreement between Val Verde County and AEP for installation of one LED light on Hold Up Pass and Lawmen’s Trail at a cost of $762.81, to be funded from the Precinct 3 operations budget. Owens said the issue related to earlier discussion about vandalized mailboxes and asked commissioners to review lighting near community mailboxes in their precincts and bring back cost estimates for additional lighting.
Court approves hourly pay for election workers
Commissioners Court members voted 4–0 to approve an hourly wage of $15 for election workers during early voting and on Election Day for the March 3 primary elections. For the May 3, 2026, primary election, $12 per hour will be reimbursed by the Texas Secretary of State, with the remaining $3 per hour paid by Val Verde County.
Court approves change order for Laughlin sunshades project
The court voted 4–0 to approve a $45,901 change order from Agate Steel for the T1-A Aircraft Sunshades project at Laughlin. Owens said sufficient funds exist in the project budget and noted the money will come from the state, not the county.
Court postpones action on request to use county right-of-way on Farley Lane
Commissioners Court members voted 4–0 to table a request to use the county right-of-way at 694 Farley Lane for installation of fiber optic cable. Commissioner Pct. 4 Gustavo “Gus” Flores asked that the item be postponed so unresolved issues with the installing business could be addressed.
Court votes to hold bids for San Felipe Pastures booster pump installation
In a 4–0 vote, the court tabled action on bids received for installation of a booster pump in the San Felipe Pastures area. Owens said holding the bids without awarding or rejecting them would allow the county time to review costs. Three bids were received for the project.
Court votes to award bid for Comstock water storage tank
Commissioners Court members voted 4–0 to approve a bid from Alvin E. Stock Contractors for installation of a 62,000-gallon water storage tank in Comstock. The county received two bids for the project. Later in the meeting, the court rescinded the initial motion and voted 4–0 to approve Alternate No. 1, which includes a 62,000-gallon bolted tank with a steel ring foundation.
Court rejects bids for Vega Verde water line extension
The court voted 4–0 to reject two bids received for materials for the Vega Verde water line extension project. Owens said the bids exceeded both expectations and available grant funding. The court approved re-advertising the request for bids for the materials.
The writer can be reached at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com.
