By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
All five members of Val Verde County Commissioners Court were present.
Here’s what happened at the meeting:
Court hears presentation about grant funds for county projects
• Commissioners court members took no action after hearing a presentation from Ruben Chavez, a representative of Migrant Clinicians Network (MCN). Chavez told the court his organization is working in the local area to determine what citizens deem are items of need or issues of concern. As an example, Chavez said a resident of the Cienegas Terrace area told him there is a need for covered bus stops in the neighborhood. Chavez said the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health has provided $6.5 million to help fund initiatives or infrastructure in Eagle Pass and Del Rio. County Judge Lewis G. Owens Jr. asked Chavez to provide him with a list of projects that might be eligible to receive funding under the grant.
Court accepts annual comprehensive financial report
• Commissioners court members voted 5-0 to accept the Val Verde County annual comprehensive financial report for the year ended Sept. 30, 2025. The court accepted the report following a presentation by Alfred Vera, principal with Cascos & Associates, PC, the county’s contracted external auditors. Vera gave the county “a clean bill of health” after going over highlights of the report.
Court approves county investment policy
• Commissioners court members voted 5-0 to approve the county investment policy on Public Funds Investment Act (PFIA). County Treasurer Aaron Rodriguez told the court approving the report was a formality required by the PFIA and said, “We do have to have an investment policy on record,” adding, “We can change it; it’s a living document.”
Court approves use of courthouse grounds for art event
• Commissioners court members voted 5-0 to grant the Falcon Art Center Foundation permission to use the county courthouse courtyard for a “youth art session” from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. June 6. The art session is part of the foundation’s “historical art” community project. Adrian Falcon, founder of the Falcon Art Center Foundation, explained the project is a cultural and educational program for students ages 7 to 17 and is aimed at “connecting young participants with the history of their community.” The young artists also plan to visit the Whitehead Memorial Museum and the San Felipe canal irrigation system.
Court approves use of county fairgrounds for caving convention
• Commissioners court members voted 5-0 to lease the county fairgrounds to the National Speleological Society for its 2027 convention. The convention, which is being organized by the Texas Cavers and Friends group, is expected to draw up to 1,000 caving enthusiasts who will visit some of the 200-plus caves in the area through a series of guided tours. The convention is scheduled for the week of June 14-18, 2027. The court voted to lease the fairgrounds for a $1,000 fee.
Court approves use of HOT funds for baseball, softball tournaments
• Commissioners court members voted 5-0 to approve the expenditure of $4,821 in hotel occupancy tax (HOT) funds for the Del Rio Little League District 35 and Section 3 baseball and softball tournaments to be held on county ball fields off Frontera Road.
Court approves funding for federal and state lobbying contracts
• Commissioners court members voted 5-0 to set aside $16,000 from contingency funds to pay for the county’s share of a contract with Lone Star Consulting Inc. for federal advocacy services. The court also voted 5-0 to set aside $20,000 from contingency funds to pay for the county’s share of a contract with Andrade Van De Putte for state advocacy services. The county will share the cost of paying for the federal and state lobbying contracts with the city of Del Rio and the San Felipe Del Rio Consolidated Independent School District.
Court again deflects commissioner’s request for installation of streetlights
• Commissioners court members took no action on a request by Commissioner Pct. 4 Gustavo “Gus” Flores to install six LED streetlights along a portion of Cienegas Road. County Judge Lewis G. Owens Jr. pointed out this is the sixth time the item has been on the court’s agenda. In previous meetings, when the item reached a vote, the other three commissioners voted against the request. During Wednesday’s meeting, when the item came up, Flores made a motion to approve it. There was no second to his motion, meaning the court would not vote on it.
Court hears update on Lausen Drive drainage project
• Commissioners court members took no action following an update on the Lausen Drive drainage project by Commissioner Pct. 2 Juan Carlos Vazquez. Vazquez said construction “is moving along on the project.” County Judge Lewis G. Owens Jr. said the county signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the city of Del Rio, and the county will install a 40-inch drainage pipe on Chapman Road, and there will be signs put up to let the public and residents of the area know when construction will begin. Owens said the pipe will help move water from Lausen. Vazquez said construction will begin June 1.
Court accepts grant for Laughlin Air Force Base
• Commissioners court members voted 5-0 to accept the Texas Military Preparedness Commission Defense Economic Adjustment Assistance Grant (DEAAG) in the amount of $5 million for the airfield lighting repair project in support of Laughlin Air Force Base.
The writer can be reached at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com
