By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
Four members of Val Verde County Commissioners Court were present. Commissioner Pct. 1 Kerr Wardlaw was absent.
Here’s what happened at the meeting:
Judge introduces court interns
The 83rd Judicial District Judge Robert E. Cadena introduced the 2026 interns in his office during the citizens’ comments portion of the court’s meeting. Cadena introduced Carolina Aguilar, a rising junior at The University of Texas at Austin, who holds a 4.0 grade point average, allowing her to be accepted into the Texas pre-law honor society, and Emma Escamilla, who recently graduated with honors from Texas A&M University and has taken the LSAT and will be applying to law school in September. Cadena thanked the court for funding the intern program and noted, “Today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders.” Cadena said previous interns included a current assistant U.S. attorney, an assistant district attorney and an assistant attorney in the Public Defender’s Office.
Court recognizes accomplishments of Daisy Gonzalez Diaz
Commissioners court members voted 4-0 to approve a resolution recognizing Daisy Gonzalez Diaz upon her appointment as deputy chief assistant U.S. attorney, Western District of Texas, Del Rio Criminal Division. Diaz is the daughter of Val Verde County Court-at-Law Judge Sergio Gonzalez, who was invited to read the resolution passed in her honor. Diaz previously served as an intern with 83rd Judicial District Judge Robert E. Cadena. Diaz could not be present for the reading and passage of her resolution, but County Judge Lewis G. Owens Jr. said the resolution would be framed and presented to her later.
Court approves allocation to VVRMC Cancer Infusion Project
Commissioners court voted 4-0 to approve the use of a $150,000 allotment from the county to Val Verde Regional Medical Center for use in the VVRMC Cancer Infusion Project. County Judge Lewis G. Owens Jr. presented the court with an email from VVRMC Chief Executive Officer Jorge Jurado informing the judge the $150,000 given by the county will be used to pay the lion’s share of the project’s $159,000 architect fees. The court had previously approved the $150,000 to be given to the hospital. Owens said he wanted the court to approve how that money would be spent. VVRMC is working with local partners to create a cancer infusion center at the hospital, which would allow many cancer patients to receive life-saving treatments without having to travel to San Antonio or San Angelo. Owens also pointed out the county recently received a $350,000 grant for VVRMC for the purchase of a new ambulance.
Court authorizes borrowing $2.1 million for road materials and other supplies
Commissioners court voted 4-0 to authorize the borrowing of $2.1 million for the purchase of asphalt and related supplies to be distributed among the four county precincts. Owens said some money will be taken out of each precinct’s operating budget to help repay the loan, adding that no funds will be taken that are already in the precincts’ budgets for paving. Owens said the loan will allow the county to provide an extra $150,000 for Precinct 1, $405,000 for Precinct 2, $692,000 for Precinct 3 and $553,000 for Precinct 4. The county judge said the amounts are based on the number of miles of road logged with the state for each precinct.
Court authorizes Migrant Clinicians Network to use Tony Faz Annex
Commissioners court voted 4-0 to allow the Migrant Clinicians Network to utilize office space in the Judge Antonio “Tony” Faz County Annex on East Chapoy Street. The court had previously authorized the MCN to use space in the Val Verde County Community Center. MCN is an organization that works to help migrants navigate the health care system.
Court again takes no action on request for Cienegas Road streetlights
Commissioners court members took no action on a request by Commissioner Pct. 4 Gustavo “Gus” Flores for the installation of six LED streetlights along a portion of Cienegas Road in southern Val Verde County. Flores, who has been asking for approval of the streetlights since February, again made the motion to approve their installation, but his motion died for lack of a second. Flores said he will continue to place the item on the court’s agenda.
Court approves bids for properties struck off county tax rolls
Commissioners court members voted 4-0 to enter an order pursuant to the Texas Property Tax Code conveying to the successful bidders, through the sealed bid process, certain properties previously struck off the tax rolls for delinquent ad valorem taxes owed to the county, the local public school district and the city. The court also voted 4-0 to approve the public sale of certain other properties. Owens said his priority is getting those properties back on the tax rolls.
Court authorizes Val Verde County Adult Drug Treatment Court to apply for grant
Commissioners court members voted 4-0 to authorize Val Verde County Court-at-Law Judge Sergio Gonzalez to apply for a five-year federal grant that could provide the county with up to $400,000 a year to further expand its Adult Drug Treatment Court. Commissioner Pct. 3 Fernando Garcia told the court he recently visited Gonzalez’s Adult Drug Treatment Court and said he was impressed by the work being done there. “This is not just punishment, it’s rehabilitation,” Garcia said.
Court approves purchase of striping machine
Commissioners court members voted 4-0 to approve the purchase of a striping machine from Centerline Supply in the amount of $9,525 through a BuyBoard cooperative purchasing contract. The machine will be purchased for Precinct 2, and funding for the purchase will come from the tax note for the Roberto “Bob” Chavira Sports Complex.
Court approves change order for Comstock water tank project
Commissioners court members voted 4-0 to approve Change Order No. 2 for the Comstock water tank project, submitted by Alvin E. Stock Contractors. The change order provides for materials and installation of a 15-horsepower booster pump in the amount of $52,072.50. Funding for the change order will come from the Texas Community Development Block Grant ($20,658), the Val Verde County Water Control and Improvement District ($14,314.50) and the county’s contingency fund ($17,100). The change order also extends the construction period by 66 days, establishing a new contract completion date of Nov. 2.
The writer can be reached at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com.
