By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
All five members of the Val Verde County Commissioners Court were present.
Court approves policy for organizations seeking hotel occupancy tax money
Commissioners voted 5-0 to approve a policy governing the expenditure of the county’s hotel occupancy tax (HOT) funds. County Judge Lewis G. Owens Jr., handed out copies of the policy and reviewed its highlights.
Owens said the first portion mirrors state statutes outlining how the county may and may not use HOT funds. The policy also establishes a pre-funding process for organizations. If the court approves funding and the organization is a nonprofit 501(c) entity, it may receive funds after submitting a form explaining how the money will be used.
For-profit organizations, or those not recognized as 501(c) nonprofits, must submit receipts and invoices for reimbursement, Owens said.
Court approves HOT funding for three organizations
After adopting the policy, commissioners approved funding requests for upcoming events.
The court voted 5-0 to approve $10,000 for Brooke’s Blossoming Hope for Childhood Cancer Foundation, which hosts the Devils River Run and Ride for Hope. The court also approved $4,800 for the annual George Paul Memorial Bull Riding and $1,000 for the third annual Border Classic Team Roping and Cook-Off.
Court clarifies outdoor lighting requirements for new subdivisions
Commissioners voted 5-0 to clarify procedures determining who pays for street lighting in new subdivisions.
Owens said developers creating new streets should pay for installation of mailboxes, street signs and streetlights. However, if a property owner replats land adjacent to an existing lit street, the developer should not be required to install lighting.
After discussion, the court approved a motion stating that if a subdivision is replatted next to an existing road without lighting, the county will bill the developer for installing lights.
Court denies request to place lights near subdivision
Commissioners voted 2-3 against approving agreements with AEP to install LED lights in seven locations along Cienegas Road in Precinct 4.
Precinct 4 Commissioner Gustavo Flores made the motion, seconded by Owens. Commissioners Kerr Wardlaw, Juan Carlos Vazquez and Fernando Garcia voted against it following a tense discussion. Some proposed lights were near property Flores owns and is replating.
Court postpones action on nine street light upgrades
Commissioners voted 5-0 to table a request to upgrade nine street lights from 250-watt high-pressure sodium fixtures to 250-watt LED fixtures at $137.86 each, totaling $1,240.74 from the Precinct 4 operating account.
Locations included multiple addresses along Cienegas Road, Holly Avenue and Industrial Boulevard.
Court approves request for emergency warning sirens
Commissioners voted 5-0 to authorize a written request to the Texas Water Development Board to allow the county to use previously allocated flood infrastructure funds to install emergency warning sirens at various locations throughout the county.
Court approves Comstock water tank change order
Commissioners voted 5-0 to approve an Alvin E. Stock Contractor change order increasing the contract by $16,186 for the Comstock water tank project. The work will replace two existing 6-inch gate valves and electrical probes. Funding comes from the existing grant and remains within the project budget.
Court approves Vega Verde water line change order
Commissioners voted 5-0 to approve a Core and Main change order increasing the contract by $12,138 for the Vega Verde water line project to add 34 additional meters. Funding will come from the existing grant and remains within the project budget.
Court changes date of next meeting
Commissioners voted 5-0 to move the court’s first March meeting from Wednesday, March 11, to Thursday, March 12. Owens requested the change because he will be out of town.
The writer can be reached at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com
