By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
Here’s what happened at the meeting:
All five members of commissioners court were present.
Court approves agreement with AEP for park floodlights
• Commissioners court unanimously approved an agreement between the county and AEP
Texas for the installation and construction of two floodlights at Arteaga Park, with any
costs to the county to come out of the Precinct 1 operating budget.
Court honors state champion runners from Comstock
• Commissioners court members unanimously approved a resolution honoring the
Comstock Cross Country Team, which recently won the 2024 Class A Texas Cross
Country Championship. County Commissioner Pct. 3 Fernando Garcia read the
resolution honoring the team, which included Comstock High School seniors Jerry Ibarra
and Edgar Crane, CHS juniors Sebastian Talamantez, two-time state champion, and
Jordan Allen, CHS sophomores Noah Bahena, Mauro Lopez and Neil Billings and CHS
freshman Jacob Allen, as well as their coach, Lee Abbey.
Court approves $10,000 donation for annual Devils River Run for Hope
• Commissioners court unanimously approved a $10,000 donation to the 5 th annual Devils
River Run for Hope, organized by Jessica Hester and her organization Brooke’s
Blossoming Hope for Childhood Cancer Foundation. This year’s run, which includes a
marathon, half-marathon and 5K, will be held April 12 and begin on the banks of the
Devils River at the Devils River State Natural Area and end on the McKenna Ranch, both
located off the Dolan Creek Road in north-central Val Verde County. The event raises
awareness and funds to combat pediatric cancers, and the county’s donation will be paid
from hotel occupancy tax monies.
Court approves request for beer and wine license for Cajun Fest
• Commissioners court unanimously approved a request by the Whitehead Memorial
Museum to obtain a beer and wine license from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage
Commission (TABC) to sell beer and wine on the museum grounds for the annual Cajun
Fest fundraiser to be held April 4 and April 5.
Court approves Randall Dissler for seat on county appraisal district board
• Commissioners court unanimously approved the appointment of Randall Dissler, owner
of Hinds Well Service, to replace Kerr Wardlaw on the Val Verde County Appraisal
District board of directors. Wardlaw relinquished his seat on the board when he was
elected County Commissioner Pct. 1.
Court accepts land donation
• Commissioners court unanimously accepted the donation of a half-acre of land from
Don Guajardo III of Trinity Mortuary. The donated land is adjacent to a parcel of county
land, and County Commissioner Pct. 4 Gustavo “Gus” Flores said the donated land will
provide more access to county property off Johnson Boulevard. The court also approved
hiring a surveyor to survey the donated property for legal descriptions.
Court accepts donation of ‘beaver’ trashcan
• Commissioners court unanimously accepted the donation of a large trashcan shaped like
a beaver from Frontline Medical Transports LLC. County Commissioner Pct. 3 Fernando
Garcia said the trash can will be placed in Precinct’s 3 Long Park, located off Lenawee
Avenue.
Court discusses action on enforcement of noise controls in park
• Commissioners court members learned they do not have to take formal action to place
signs informing the public using county parks to manage the noise levels of stereos used
in the parks. County Attorney David Martinez informed the court signs may be posted
informing the public of the state’s disorderly conduct statutes. County Commissioner Pct.
3 Gustavo “Gus” Flores told the court he has had complaints from citizens regarding loud
stereos blasting music that contains profane language at the park near the county
community center off Cienegas Road.
Court appoints new members to Amistad Land Use and Zoning Commission
• Commissioners court unanimously appointed two new members to the Amistad Land
Use and Zoning Commission, which considers land use and zoning near Lake Amistad.
The court appointed Michelle Fagan and Randall Dissler to the commission.
Court approves use of fairgrounds for law enforcement training
• Commissioners court unanimously approved requests by the Val Verde County
Sheriff’s Office and the Del Rio Police Department to use the parking lot at the county
fairgrounds for driving training for the two agencies’ respective academies. The police
department will train on May 5 through May 9, and the sheriff’s office will train on Aug.
4 through Aug. 8.
Court approves expenditures for county fire department
• Commissioners court unanimously approved several measures dealing with equipment
and personnel for the Val Verde County Fire Rescue Department. The court approved
advertisement for bids to purchase a cab and chassis and a water truck for the department.
In a separate action, the court approved the issuance of checks to four recruits currently
undergoing training to become county firefighters.
Court approves camera system for county veterans service office
• Commissioners court unanimously approved the purchase and installation of a network
camera monitoring system for the county veterans service office.
Reach the writer at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com
