Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
Val Verde County Commissioner Pct. 3 Beau Nettleton says he will not seek re-election in 2024.
Nettleton made the announcement during the “commissioners’ comments” portion of Tuesday’s county commissioners court meeting.
“I’ve been getting calls from people. It’s election time, so I want to make it official. I am not running for commissioner again,” Nettleton said.
“Just so everybody can make their decisions about what they’re going to do. I’ve appreciated the time; it’s time for a change, and speaking of children, mine are graduating next year, and I want to spend some time enjoying them, so I will not be running again,” the commissioner added.
“Well, that sucks, for the record,” County Judge Lewis G. Owens Jr. commented with a laugh after Nettleton finished speaking. “What’s it been? Twenty (years)?”
“Twenty-two, 23, something like that. Too many,” Nettleton replied.
“We’ve had our ups and downs, but I will tell you that you will be missed. You’ve not always had the same opinion, and to all of you all, too, not that you all are leaving, but I’m very grateful to the court, but you’re one of the ones that when I came in, sort of took the lead and we listened to, and I appreciate that,” Owens told Nettleton. Nettleton is currently serving his fifth four-year term on Val Verde County Commissioners Court. His term expires at the end of 2024.
Nettleton is a graduate of Comstock High School and worked in construction in the private sector. He also worked for the Texas Department of Transportation and for the city of Del Rio before being hired as the Precinct 3 road and bridge foreman, a position he worked for four years.
Nettleton was first elected to the Precinct 3 county commissioner seat in 2004. “I originally ran for the commissioner position because I knew how the precinct ran and always had an interest in being on the decision-making side of the table,” Nettleton said in a 2016 interview.
As county commissioner, Nettleton has been involved in a variety of projects, including State Loop 79, the county library expansion, expansion of water systems and has worked to pass legislation to protect Laughlin Air Force Base and area water resources.
The court’s only Republican, he has been a staunch advocate of private property rights and of keeping the county tax rate as low as possible.
Nettleton is also the owner of a Del Rio business, a lawn care and landscaping company, and he operates a ranch in north-central Val Verde County that has been in his family since 1944. “My plans are simply to enjoy my family, to spend time with my kids as they go off to college and to run my business and ranch. That’s the extent of any plans I have. . . I am not planning on running for anything at all. I am not planning on seeking any elected office whatsoever. I just want to go relax and enjoy my life,” Nettleton told the 830 Times in an interview after Tuesday’s meeting.
The writer can be reached at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com.
