Oct 27, 2025 Commissioner's Court

[1. Call meeting to order]

[00:00:02]

MORNING, EVERYONE, IF YOU PLEASE RISE. WELCOME TO COMMISSIONERS COURT.

[2. Pledge of allegiance]

AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS. ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

HONOR. TEXAS LIGHT. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE.

TEXAS. ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE AND INDIVISIBLE.

AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE WITH US THIS MORNING.

WE'LL GO AHEAD AND PROCEED. I'VE GOT NUMEROUS CARDS HERE UNDER THE CITIZENS TO BE HEARD.

[3. Citizens to be heard]

I GOT MISS WEATHERSPOON WHO WANTS TO TALK UNDER THE AGENDA ITEM.

I THINK YOU WANT TO TALK UNDER THE AGENDA ITEM.

MISS TORRES, DO YOU WANT TO TALK UNDER THE AGENDA ITEM AS WELL? OKAY. OR YOU WANT TO TALK NOW? UNDER CITIZENS.

YOU DO UNDER AGENDA ITEM, RIGHT? OKAY. OH. I'M SORRY.

YES. OKAY. WELL, THEN GO AHEAD. OKAY. FIRST UP.

YOU MEAN. SO SORRY.

OKAY. GOOD MORNING EVERYONE. MY NAME IS CHLOE TORRES AND I AM FROM CORPUS CHRISTI.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALLOWING ME TO BE HERE.

AND AND ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK. I THINK THE CORPUS CHRISTI CITY COUNCIL COULD DEFINITELY TAKE A LESSON IN TERMS OF BEING NEIGHBORLY.

SO, AGAIN, REALLY APPRECIATE IT. AND SO I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN CORPUS CHRISTI, AND MY ENTIRE LIFE, I WAS TOLD THAT IF I WANTED TO BE SOMEONE IMPORTANT OR DO SOMETHING IMPORTANT, I WOULD HAVE TO LEAVE.

AND BECAUSE THERE WERE NO ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES, THERE WERE NOT A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.

AND I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE EVERYONE I KNEW AND LOVED.

AND SO BASED ON A VARIETY OF FACTORS, I ENDED UP STAYING IN CORPUS CHRISTI, AND IT WAS THE BEST DECISION THAT I'VE EVER MADE IN MY LIFE.

AND I WOULD WOULDN'T CHANGE IT FOR ANYTHING. HOWEVER, IN 2016, WHEN I GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL WE HAD AN ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTER.

WE HAD VALERO SPILL AN EMULSIFYING AGENT INTO OUR WATER SUPPLY.

AND FOR THREE DAYS, FIVE DAYS, DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU WERE IN THE CITY.

AND ALSO, CORPUS CHRISTI IS THE REGIONAL WATER SUPPLIER.

YOU WERE COMPLETELY OUT OF WATER. AND IT WAS UP TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAD WHAT WE NEEDED.

I WENT CANVASING FOR THE FIRST TIME, KNOCKED ON PEOPLE'S DOORS AND ASKED THEM, WHAT DO YOU NEED? HOW CAN WE HELP? AND THERE WERE SO MANY FOLKS, ELDERLY, DISABLED, WHO COULD NOT AFFORD THE EXTRA EXPENSE OF BUYING BOTTLED WATER FOR THE NEXT 3 TO 5 DAYS TO FEED THEIR FAMILIES, TO TAKE SHOWERS.

AND SO THAT REALLY THAT REALLY IMPACTED ME. AND I COMMITTED WITH OTHER COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO REALLY INVESTIGATE WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH OUR WATER.

WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF OUR REGION? AND HOW THAT'S ACTUALLY TIED TO INDUSTRIALIZATION? NO LONG TERM PLANNING, JUST KIND OF LIKE SHORT TERM REWARD.

AND SO MY MENTORS ALSO TAUGHT ME ABOUT HILLCREST, RIGHT? AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF BEING SURROUNDED BY HEAVY INDUSTRY.

THERE WAS A NUECES COUNTY HEALTH STUDY THAT CAME OUT IN 2021 THAT SHOWED THAT PEOPLE WHO LIVE ON THE NORTH SIDE OF CORPUS CHRISTI RIGHT NEXT TO REFINERY ROW, LIVE 17 YEARS LESS ON AVERAGE, THAN PEOPLE WHO LIVE ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF CORPUS CHRISTI.

SO MY LIVED EXPERIENCE IS THAT IF BEING SURROUNDED BY INDUSTRY MEANT A COMMUNITY WAS WAS GOING TO BE PROSPEROUS, THEN HILLCREST WOULD HAVE BEEN THE MOST PROSPEROUS NEIGHBORHOOD IN OUR AREA.

AND INSTEAD THEY LIVE THEY DIE. THEY DIE FASTER.

THEY DON'T HAVE THE SERVICES THAT THEY NEED. WASTEWATER DISPOSAL SERVICES.

ALL OF THOSE THINGS HAVE BEEN CUT OFF. SO I'M HERE TO VOICE CONCERNS ABOUT THE SAND PAD INDUSTRIAL PLAN.

I THINK DEVELOPMENT PLANS ARE GREAT. BUT LET'S LOOK AT HOW WE CAN DIVERSIFY THAT, BECAUSE MOST OF IT IS OIL AND GAS.

AND WE'VE SEEN WHAT THAT LEADS TO. BUT ALSO, YEAH, THE WATER.

WHERE ARE WE GOING TO GET THE WATER FOR ALL OF THIS DEVELOPMENT? THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU. MR.. OKAY. MR. NYE, YOU WANT TO TALK NOW? YOU NEED TO SIGN UP IN ADVANCE. YES. THERE'S SOME CARDS BACK THERE IN THE BACK OF THE TABLE.

YES, I'LL SPEAK NOW. OKAY. GOOD MORNING, PATRICK NYE FROM

[00:05:03]

THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK. I HAVE A FEW THINGS TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT ON THE GROWTH PLAN, AND SOME OF THESE INCLUDE THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS.

I REALLY DIDN'T SEE A LOT OF STRONG LANGUAGE THERE.

THERE'S NO MENTION OF TOURISM, WHICH I THINK IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT.

AND THE STAKEHOLDERS PARTICIPATION, I THINK WE COULD HAVE ALLOWED A FEW MORE PEOPLE TO WEIGH IN.

I'VE HELPED. I'VE TALKED TO COMMISSIONER YARDLEY.

THERE'S A STORM SURGE MAP THAT'S LACKING. THERE'S ALSO WETLANDS MAPS THAT ARE LACKING.

AND THAT NEEDS TO BE INCLUDED IN THIS AS WELL.

AND THEN THERE'S A THERE'S A SUBJECT THAT IS NEEDS TO BE CLEARED UP, AT LEAST IN MY MIND.

THERE'S A MAP OVER HERE THAT SHOWS THE INTRACOASTAL CANAL BETWEEN INGLESIDE AND ARANSAS PASS.

THIS LAND HAS NO DESIGNATION, ALTHOUGH I KNOW THERE'S ACTUALLY POPULATIONS, PEOPLE LIVING THERE, AND THERE'S ALSO INDUSTRY THERE THAT SOME COUNTY, I MEAN, SOME PART OF THE COUNTY NEEDS TO OWN THAT.

EITHER THE COUNTY OWNS IT, RENT IS PAST OR INGLESIDE.

THAT NEEDS TO BE CLARIFIED, I BELIEVE, ON A COUPLE OTHER ITEMS. CHLOE BROUGHT UP THIS HEALTH PLAN THAT WAS IN CORPUS CHRISTI IN 2020, 2021, AND THAT'S WITH TEXAS HEALTH INSTITUTE.

WE HAVE CONTACTED THEM AND WE ARE PLANNING A HEALTH STUDY FOR ARANSAS PASS.

I'M SORRY FOR SAN PATRICIO. AND THAT WILL INCLUDE ARANSAS PASS ALL THE WAY INTO MATHIS.

WE JUST NEED A LITTLE BIT OF MONEY, AND HOPEFULLY THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WILL HELP SUPPORT THIS, EITHER THROUGH THE MESA FUNDS OR OTHER FUNDS.

$60,000 WOULD GET OFF PHASE ONE, AND THAT'LL GET US TO INTERVIEW A LOT OF PEOPLE AND GET THE WHOLE SYSTEM SET UP.

AND THEN PHASE TWO AND THREE WOULD BE ANOTHER YEAR AFTER THAT, AND WE'D BE ABLE TO GET A VERY FIRM UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT WE'RE BREATHING, WHAT WE'RE DRINKING, YOU KNOW, WHAT IS WHAT'S OUR WHAT'S OUR QUALITY OF LIFE, BASICALLY.

ONE LAST THING IS I'VE BEEN LOOKING AT THE CMAS AND THE OXYCHEM AND, YOU KNOW, THERE'S THE WATER TANK THAT'S OPEN. 70 ACRE WATER AREA ACROSS THE STREET FROM IT THAT IS GOING DIRECTLY.

IT'S DIRECTLY DOWNWIND FROM THOSE TWO CHEMICAL PLANTS.

JUST THIS WEEK, I FOUND OUT THAT SOME OF THE PHASES ARE PRODUCED THERE, AND THAT'S THE FOREVER CHEMICALS.

AND I'M REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT OUR DRINKING WATER IS. I KNOW WE'RE GETTING LOWER ON THE LAKES.

I KNOW WE'RE GETTING SOME OF THE DREGS, BUT THERE'S NO ANALYSIS.

THERE'S NO RECENT ANALYSIS SINCE JUNE OF 2024.

I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK INTO THIS FIRST, FIND OUT WHAT OUR RESIDENTS ARE DRINKING, AND I JUST WANT TO PUT THAT FORTH TO YOU.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. OKAY, MISS HATCH.

YES, I'LL SPEAK NOW. OKAY. MY NAME IS KATIE HATCH.

I LIVE OUT ON INGLESIDE, ON THE BAY. AND I JUST WANT TO REITERATE WHAT HAS REALLY BEEN SAID ALREADY THIS MORNING.

THE INDUSTRIALIZATION OF SAN PATRICIO COUNTY HAS GONE OVERBOARD.

MY LITTLE AREA OVER ON THE BAY WE ARE SURROUNDED BY INDUSTRY.

THERE ARE AIR MONITORS THAT ARE SHOWING VERY HIGH CONCENTRATION OF CHEMICALS THAT WE SHOULD NOT BE BREATHING.

I THINK THIS MAP GOES OVERBOARD, AND I THINK IT'S GIVING AWAY A LOT OF OUR OUR HEALTH TO INDUSTRY. JUST LIKE THE YOUNG WOMAN SAID THIS MORNING THE PEOPLE IN CORPUS CHRISTI THAT LIVED NEAR THE INDUSTRY THERE HAVE SHOWN REMARKABLE CHANGES IN THEIR HEALTH.

AND I'M AFRAID THAT'S WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN TO US.

SO I'M ASKING YOU, PLEASE REVIEW THAT MAP. OR WE'LL JUST TURN INTO ANOTHER HILLCREST.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. MA'AM. OKAY, MISTER HALE.

GO AHEAD AND STATE YOUR ADDRESS, AND THEN YOU CAN HAVE THREE MINUTES.

SURE. CITY COUNCIL.

THAT'S WHY YOU ALWAYS START WITH NUMBER ONE, RIGHT? SORRY. OKAY. HI, COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS JASON HALE.

[00:10:05]

I WANT TO START BY EXPRESSING MY SUPPORT FOR THE CONCEPT OF A MASTER PLAN.

AND THEN OFFER ONE CRITICAL SUGGESTION FOR IMPROVEMENT.

OKAY, SO WHY IS PLANNING IMPORTANT? I BELIEVE PLANNING IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT IS THE BEST WAY TO ADDRESS COMMUNITY CONCERNS.

BECAUSE AND THAT'S BECAUSE IT DOES IT EARLY ON.

BASICALLY, YOU HAVE THE DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS UP FRONT.

YOU WORK THROUGH THE ISSUES AND THAT HELPS YOU GET THE THE BUY IN FROM THE PUBLIC THAT YOU NEED LATER ON DOWN THE ROAD.

WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THE PLAN IS THAT IT HAS SETBACKS FOR RESIDENTIAL AREAS, ALTHOUGH I WISH IT WOULD BE HIGHER.

I THINK THE PLAN, LIKE THE PLAN, HAS CONSIDERATIONS FOR WETLANDS, ALTHOUGH I THINK THERE SHOULD BE MORE.

AND I LIKE THAT IT LAYS OUT WHERE THE COUNTY WANTS TO SEE STRATEGIC MANAGED DEVELOPMENT, BECAUSE NUECES COUNTY AND CORPUS CHRISTI HASN'T DONE THAT, AND I WISH THEY DID. I THINK THE PLAN IS A GOOD START, BUT I THINK IT NEEDS MORE PUBLIC BUY IN IN ORDER TO BE TRULY SUCCESSFUL.

AND TO GET THAT, I THINK THE COUNTY NEEDS TO DO MORE TO INFORM RESIDENTS ABOUT THE IMPACTS FROM THE PLAN, AND I THINK THE COUNTY NEEDS TO PROACTIVELY SOLICIT FEEDBACK FROM ALL STAKEHOLDERS.

AND THE REASON IT'S IMPORTANT IS BECAUSE THIS PLAN WILL HAVE A HUGE IMPACT ON THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE.

SOME OF IT WILL BE GOOD, SOME OF IT WILL BE NOT SO GOOD, RIGHT? IT'LL AFFECT EVERYTHING FROM WATER BILLS TO ELECTRICITY BILLS TO AIR QUALITY, HEALTH AND SAFETY, YOU NAME IT. PEOPLE DESERVE A REAL OPPORTUNITY TO UNDERSTAND AND SHAPE THE POLICIES THAT GOVERN FUTURE DECISIONS.

SO MY RECOMMENDATION IS PRETTY SIMPLE. IT'S FOR THE COMMISSIONERS COURT TO ADOPT A ROBUST PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS, SOMETHING SIMILAR TO WHAT OTHER PLANNING GROUPS LIKE THE MPO DOES.

BASICALLY, YOU HOST AN OFFICIALLY NOTICED PUBLIC MEETING DEDICATED TO THE PLAN, ENSURING TIME FOR QUESTIONS AND RESIDENTS.

THEN THE COUNTY WOULD CREATE A SECOND DRAFT OR AN APPENDIX THAT OUTLINES HOW COMMUNITY FEEDBACK HAS BEEN ADDRESSED.

AND FINALLY, THE COUNTY WOULD PROVIDE A SECOND COMMENT PERIOD BEFORE THE PLAN IS OFFICIALLY ADOPTED.

TO SUM IT UP, I THINK THE PLAN IS A GOOD IDEA.

IT JUST NEEDS MORE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION, AND I THINK IT WOULD BE TO THE COUNTY'S BENEFIT TO DO SO, BECAUSE PUBLIC BUY IN IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR GETTING THESE PROJECTS OFF THE GROUND AND FINISHED SMOOTHLY.

ANYWAYS THAT'S IT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.

THANK YOU. OKAY. MAYOR HALE.

LITTLE SHORT. I'M MAYOR JACKIE HILL FROM OUR.

YOUR PARTNER'S WAY DOWN SOUTH? IN OLD SAN PATRICIO.

THANKS TO OUR COMMISSIONER GONZALES. HE CALLED ME TO LET ME KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON.

WE WEREN'T CONTACTED. WE'RE NOT IN THE GROUP, WHICH I'M NOT COMPLAINING ABOUT, BUT IT WOULD BE NICE JUST BECAUSE WE'RE LITTLE AND WE'RE BACK THERE. WE'RE ALSO PART OF THE COUNTY. I'D APPRECIATE IT IF YOU WOULD CONTACT SOMEBODY, BECAUSE THAT'S THE FIRST TIME I'VE SEEN THAT.

THE PLAN. THAT'S ALL I'VE GOT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU MAYOR.

THANK YOU MAYOR. OKAY. MR. HERNANDEZ, WANT TO SPEAK NOW OR LATER? OKAY.

HOWDY. MY NAME IS JAKE HERNANDEZ. I'M BORN AND RAISED IN CORPUS, BUT I LIVED IN INGLESIDE FOR A FEW YEARS.

AND I'M ALSO HERE TO SPEAK TODAY ABOUT THE INDUSTRIAL GROWTH PLAN.

I HAVE TWO MAJOR CONCERNS AROUND THE AROUND THE PLAN AND MY FIRST ONE BEING WATER.

NOW, LIKE I SAID, I'M FROM FROM CORPUS, AND I DO A LOT OF ORGANIZING AROUND WATER OVER THERE.

AND I CAN TELL YOU THAT BECAUSE OF HIGH INDUSTRIAL DEMAND AND CONTRACTS AND PROMISES AND DEALS THAT WERE MADE IN FOR WATER, WHILE WE DO NOT HAVE THE ABUNDANCE OF WATER TO SUPPLY AND MEET THOSE ENDS OF THE DEALS HAS LED US INTO SOMEWHAT OF A CRISIS IN CORPUS CHRISTI, SEE WHERE WE ARE TRYING TO SCRAMBLE TO SECURE A LARGE WATER SOURCE FOR THE WHOLE REGION THAT WE SUPPLY TO US.

AND WHAT MY MY CONCERN IS ABOUT THE SAMPAT INDUSTRIAL PLAN IS THAT WITHOUT A BIG WATER SOURCE ALREADY SECURED IN THE REGION, I THINK THIS IS A LITTLE BIT PUTTING THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE.

AND IF WE WERE TO TALK ABOUT A PLAN LIKE THIS, IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO DO SO.

[00:15:05]

HOWEVER, MY MY OTHER CONCERN ABOUT THE ABOUT THE INDUSTRIAL GROWTH PLAN IS ABOUT HOW IT ZONES COMMUNITIES TO BASICALLY BE SURROUNDED BY INDUSTRIAL LAND. AND AGAIN, AS SOMEONE FROM CORPUS, I CAN TELL YOU THAT THAT HAS ENDED VERY POORLY FOR ENTIRE COMMUNITIES IN CORPUS CHRISTI AS AS MY FRIEND CHLOE HAD MENTIONED EARLIER THE PEOPLE IN THE HILLCREST NEIGHBORHOOD IN CORPUS CHRISTI REALLY DO HAVE TO SUFFER BECAUSE OF WHAT HAS BEEN BUILT AROUND THEM.

THEY HAVE LOWER LIFE EXPECTANCIES POOR QUALITY OF LIFE.

AND FRANKLY, IF YOU'VE EVER BEEN TO THAT NEIGHBORHOOD, YOU WOULD SHUDDER AND BE LIKE, HOW CAN HOW CAN ONE CITY LET ANYBODY LIVE HERE? AND SEEMS LIKE A VERY LOVELY GROUP OF PEOPLE? EVERYBODY WAS VERY FRIENDLY, SMILED AT ME AS I CAME IN, SAID HI, AND I CAN'T IMAGINE WHY YOU WOULD WANT TO WANT TO BUILD SO MUCH INDUSTRIAL BUILD OUT IN THE BACKYARDS OF THESE PEOPLE HERE.

I DON'T THINK THAT ANY HUMAN DESERVES TO HAVE THAT.

I THINK IT'S REALLY BAD FOR PEOPLE, FOR THEIR HEALTH, POLLUTION WISE.

AND AGAIN, AS WE ARE ALREADY IN A WATER CRISIS, NOT JUST IN CORPUS CHRISTI, BUT IN THE ENTIRE REGION, AND HAVE NOT MADE ANY, AND NO ENTITY HAS MADE ANY CONCRETE EFFORT TO FINALLY SECURE THAT WATER SOURCE FOR US.

AS LONG AS WE'RE IN THAT SITUATION. I THINK THIS IS A REALLY BAD IDEA, AND I THINK THAT WE COULD BE VERY THAT WE COULD BE SETTING OURSELVES UP FOR DISASTER COUNTY WIDE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. OKAY. MISS PEACOCK, YOU WANT TO TALK NOW OR LATER? NO. OKAY. GO AHEAD. YEAH. HI. I'M HERE ALSO AS A COMMUNITY MEMBER OF CORPUS CHRISTI.

WOULD YOU STATE. WHERE ARE YOU FROM? OH, YEAH.

MAGGIE PEACOCK, CORPUS CHRISTI CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAN PATRICIO INDUSTRIAL GROWTH PLAN? YEAH. I LIVED IN CORPUS FOR MANY YEARS. I MOVED AWAY FOR ABOUT A YEAR.

AND RIGHT WHEN I THE SECOND I COULD MOVE BACK, I IMMEDIATELY MOVED BACK.

BECAUSE THE COASTAL BEND IS SUCH A SPECIAL PLACE AND HAS SUCH A SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART.

BUT YEAH, THIS PLAN MAPS OUT 100,000 PLUS ACRES OF ADVANTAGEOUS LAND FOR INDUSTRIAL GROWTH AT A TIME WHEN WE DEEPLY NEED TO CURTAIL CURTAIL INDUSTRIAL GROWTH IN THE COASTAL BEND DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL INJUSTICES, COMMUNITY HEALTH CONCERNS, AND ALSO WATER USAGE. THIS PLAN INVITES A NEW WAVE OF POLLUTING PROJECTS WITH NO ENFORCEABLE GUARDRAILS, GUARDRAILS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN THE COASTAL BEND CANNOT AFFORD FURTHER ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTERS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CATASTROPHES.

IT'S ALSO A DOORWAY FOR POLITICAL PRESSURE. AND BEING FROM CORPUS CHRISTI, WE DEEPLY UNDERSTAND, BOUGHT OUT POLITICAL ACTORS THAT PRIORITIZE PROFITS OVER PEOPLE.

AND WE DON'T WANT THAT FOR OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS IN SAN PAT.

AND WE DON'T WANT POOR QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PEOPLE LIVING HERE.

AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS DON'T DESERVE THAT. IF THIS THERE'S 100,000 PLUS ACRES ARE INDUSTRIALIZED, WE COULD LOSE FUNCTIONALLY CRITICAL WETLANDS IN A HURRICANE PRONE COUNTY, FURTHER EXPOSING COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO HEALTH AND DISASTER CONCERNS.

AND ALSO, YEAH, LIKE WE MENTIONED, WATER. WE ARE IN A IN A WATER CRISIS, A MANUFACTURED WATER CRISIS, AND WE DON'T HAVE THE WATER SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR THIS PLAN.

AND YEAH, I ALSO WANTED TO MENTION PROJECT GARIN, WHICH THE VOTE IS COMING UP ON NOVEMBER 10TH, AND THIS IS A PROJECT THAT COMMUNITY MEMBERS HAVE BEEN FIGHTING AGAINST DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL INJUSTICES AND POTENTIAL LIKE CHEMICAL EXPOSURE TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS HERE. AND WE ARE ASKING YOU ALL TO CONSIDER THE CONCERNS OF PEOPLE WHO CALL THIS PLACE HOME AND AND NOT CORPORATIONS.

AND YEAH, JUST ALSO WANT TO MENTION THE NEED FOR MORE COMMUNITY INPUT.

IT SOUNDS LIKE THIS PLAN WASN'T CREATED WITH COMMUNITY INPUT AND JUST HAD A LOT OF LIKE INDUSTRIAL CONSIDERATION INSTEAD OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS CONSIDERATIONS.

AND SO YEAH. THAT'S IT. OKAY. THANK YOU. OKAY.

IS IT MR.? YEAH. GO AHEAD IF YOU WANT TO TALK NOW OR LATER.

TALK NOW. OKAY. GO AHEAD AND STATE YOUR NAME AND THEN YOUR.

I'M MARK RATHBUN. I'M FROM INGLESIDE ON THE BAY.

COMMISSIONER. GILLESPIE, YOU KNOW ME AND I, YOU AND I HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT FOR GOING ON 13 YEARS,

[00:20:01]

AND I THOUGHT YOU DID A VALIANT JOB BOTH AS MAYOR AND ALSO AS A COMMISSIONER TO BALANCE COMMUNITY WITH THE NEED FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH.

AND IN FACT, I WORKED ON ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES FOR TWO DIFFERENT NEWSPAPERS.

WE, THE PEOPLE IN CORPUS CHRISTI AND COASTAL BEND HERALD HERE ON THE NORTH SIDE FOR MANY YEARS HANDLING ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.

AND I SORT OF CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT, YOU KNOW, CORPUS AREAS COULD BE A REAL MODEL FOR HOW YOU CAN BALANCE COMMUNITY NEEDS AND INDUSTRIAL NEEDS AND JOB NEEDS, BECAUSE I SAW MR. GILLESPIE SORT OF NEGOTIATING THAT RATHER WELL.

BUT I ALSO SAW OVER TIME THE A CONTINUING INCURSION.

YOU KNOW, I OBVIOUSLY HAVE A VESTED INTEREST FOR INGLESIDE ON THE BAY BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE I LIVED, AND THAT'S WHERE I HAVE MY HOME.

AND I HAVE A TEN YEAR OLD, A 12 YEAR OLD CHILD WHO'S GOING TO INHERIT THAT.

AND THAT'S ALL WE'VE GOT. AND PEOPLE MENTIONED THE HILLSIDE.

I WAS INVOLVED IN THAT HILLSIDE MATTER BACK WHEN I WAS WORKING FOR THE PAPERS AND HELPED THEM SECURE SOME FINANCIAL RECOMPENSE FOR THE HOME VALUES THAT WENT DOWN. THAT'S ANOTHER CONSIDERATION YOU ALL GOT TO THINK ABOUT, BECAUSE I'M GOING TO START EDUCATING PEOPLE ABOUT THAT, BECAUSE THOSE, YOU KNOW, I'M TO THAT POINT WHERE I'M LOOKING AT MY LEGACY FOR MY CHILD AND IT'S IT'S LOSING ALL THE TIME.

AND THERE'S HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ARE IN THE SAME BOAT. OKAY. SO THAT'S THAT'S ANOTHER ISSUE.

BUT I'M GOING TO I'M GOING TO ADVOCATE FOR TWO SPECIFIC THINGS THAT I'VE ADVOCATED FROM THE BEGINNING WITH THE COMMISSIONER GILLESPIE, WHO WAS THE MAYOR BACK BACK IN THE DAY, THAT IS NUMBER ONE I SAW IN THAT PLAN NO WETLANDS DESIGNATION BETWEEN INGLESIDE ON THE BAY AND ENBRIDGE ALONG THE BAYSHORE. AND I'M GOING TO TELL YOU, YOU COULD TAKE A, A ANY PANEL OF EXPERTS ON PLANET EARTH AND WALK THEM DOWN THERE.

THEY SAY THIS IS THE DEFINITION OF PROTECTED WETLANDS.

THERE IS NO POSSIBLE WAY THAT THAT AREA BETWEEN THE BLUFF AND THE BAYSHORE CANNOT BE DESIGNATED AS, AS A PROTECTED WETLAND. NUMBER TWO, THE GREENBELT BUFFER BETWEEN INGLESIDE ON THE BAY STARLIGHT DRIVE AND AT THE END OF YOU KNOW, WHERE THE WE'RE INSIDE THE BAY ENDS OVER THE SIDE.

BUT THAT THAT ONE THIRD BY ONE THIRD BIT OF LAND IS ONE OF THE MOST INCREDIBLE.

IT'S A I CALL IT THE MIRACLE STRIP. I WALK IT EVERY DAY IN THE MORNING BEFORE, BEFORE DAWN AND IN THE EVENING AT DUSK WITH MY DOGS.

AS AS MR. GILLESPIE KNOWS, THERE IS VIRTUALLY EVERY CRITTER YOU CAN IMAGINE.

AND IN ADDITION, A NUMBER OF ENDANGERED SPECIES, INCLUDING THE JAGUARUNDI.

OKAY. AND OKAY, SO I'M JUST GOING TO LET YOU KNOW YOU WOKE ME UP.

HE KNOWS WHAT I CAN DO AGAINST GREAT BIG CORPORATIONS AND THAT KIND OF THING.

I'VE BEEN THERE BEFORE AND YOU GUYS WOKE ME UP, AND I'M I'M I'M ADVOCATING FOR THOSE LANDS.

YOU'RE GOING TO SEE A LOT OF ME THAT BUFFER SHOULD BE THERE AND THAT WETLAND SHOULD BE THERE.

OKAY. THE OTHER TWO CARDS THAT I HAVE. SO MISS WEATHERSPOON AND MR. TURNER, Y'ALL WANT TO TALK DURING THE ACTUAL DELIBERATION OF THE AGENDA ITEM, CORRECT? OKAY. OKAY. I HAVE NO MORE CARDS. I WANT TO TALK.

UNDER CITIZENS TO BE HEARD. SO WE'LL MOVE ON TO OUR REPORTS FROM JUDGES AND COMMISSIONERS.

[4. Report from Judge, Commissioner or Department concerning an item/report of community interest.]

I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE YOUR THUNDER, GABRIEL. YOU CAN TALK ABOUT IT.

ATTENDED THE CONFERENCE. THAT'S TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY ROAD ENGINEERS AND ADMINISTRATORS UP IN WACO LAST WEEK.

WE LEARNED A LOT ABOUT A LOT OF DIFFERENT NEW MACHINERY COMING OUT AND DIFFERENT WAYS, DIFFERENT MATERIALS.

AND WE TOOK SOME OF THE HANDS WITH US SO THAT NOT ONLY MYSELF, BUT ANOTHER PRECINCT OUT THERE.

AND HE'LL TALK ABOUT IT IN A MINUTE. BUT IT WAS GOOD TO FIND NEW AND CHEAPER PRODUCTS TO USE TO SAVE TAX DOLLARS.

WE'LL BE BLEEDING OUT ON 77. BE ON A FINAL BEFORE WE SEAL COAT ON.

113. WE'RE MOVING OUT AT 3955 AND BETWEEN 1458 AND 2181.

SO THE ROMANS STILL GETTING DONE. WE DID HAVE A HALF INCH OF RAIN OVER HERE IN SINTON THIS WEEK.

WE APPRECIATE EVERY DROP WE GET AND THAT'S ALL I'VE GOT.

JUDGE. OKAY MISTY EARLY MORNING JUDGE. GOOD MORNING EVERYBODY.

ON SATURDAY, GP ISD HELD THEIR RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY FOR THEIR NEW MULTI-PURPOSE FACILITY.

I KNOW THE JUDGE AND I WERE THERE. THERE WAS A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE THERE TOO, AND I WILL JUST SAY THAT IS ONE IMPRESSIVE FACILITY.

IF YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO CHECK IT OUT, I WOULD HIGHLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO SO.

IT CERTAINLY FAR SURPASSES ANYTHING I'VE SEEN AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL FOR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

[00:25:03]

JUDGE, THE ONLY OTHER THING I HAVE IS HALLOWEEN'S COMING UP. I HOPE EVERYBODY HAS A FUN AND SAFE HALLOWEEN.

THAT'S IT. THANK YOU. MR.. GONZALEZ. YES. WE FINISHED PAVING THE FIRST COURSE ON COUNTY ROAD 1510 IN ODOM, 1.2 MILES. WE HAD OUR DIRT PATCH WORKING ON COUNTY ROAD 2849 OFF OF WHITE POINT THERE IN ODOM TAFT AREA.

WE HAD THE GRAPPLE TRUCK PICKING UP BRUSH AND LAKESHORE GARDENS.

COUNTY ROAD 519, 783, THE FRUITA PARK AREA. WE DID SOME ROAD REPAIR WITH LIMESTONE COUNTY ROAD 798, SAINT PAUL. WE'VE GOT ROAD REPAIR ON COUNTY ROAD 2849 ON WHITE POINT WITH SOME LIMESTONE.

AND WE'RE WORKING THAT WITH COMMISSIONER PRECINCT ONE SKI.

THANK YOU, SIR. WORKING THAT TOGETHER. WE'RE DOING SOME ROAD PATCHING.

COUNTY ROAD 2849, THE ODOM AREA. TAFT AREA. WE'RE IN THE COUNTY ROAD 2015, ODOM AREA AND COUNTY ROAD 249 LAKESHORE GARDENS, MATTIS AREA. COUNTY ROAD 2347 AND COUNTY ROAD 984.

IN THE SITTING AREA, COUNTY ROAD 798. SAINT PAUL GOT SOME PATCHING.

ALSO, WE DID A TWO COURSE CHIPSEAL COATING WAS DONE ON COUNTY ROAD 625.

COUNTY ROAD TWO KORCE COUNTY ROAD 249 OFF OF COUNTY ROAD 441, IN THE LAKE AREAS.

MATISSE AREA. COUNTY ROAD 2367 OFF HIGHWAY OFF OF HIGHWAY 188 CENTENARIA AND OFF OF COUNTY ROAD 984.

SETTING. WE ALSO SENT EIGHT EMPLOYEES TO THE TESSERA CONFERENCE IN WACO AND ALSO HELP WITH THE CLEANUP WITH GABRIEL AND HIS CREW.

AND CHARLIE AND HIS CREW WERE THERE ALSO. OKAY.

GOOD DEAL, MR. GILLESPIE. YES, SIR. WE'VE WE'VE FINISHED THE SEAL COATING WE WERE DOING ON 1360 AND ON 4343.

AND THREE OF MY GUYS WERE OUT THERE HELPING WITH THE CLEANUP AND, AND AT THE FAIRGROUNDS, AND JUST SO THAT OUR PIO KNOWS THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GO OUT WITH NOTICE AFTER THE FIRST OF THE YEAR.

WE'RE GOING TO START ON THAT SECOND BRIDGE ON 1360 AND REBUILD THAT WOODEN BRIDGE.

THANK YOU. OKAY. DEPARTMENT HEADS. MISS RIVERA, I THINK YOU'VE GOT SOMETHING.

NOTICE. I JUST WANTED TO LET THE COURT KNOW. AND THE PUBLIC, IF THEY'RE AVAILABLE THIS FRIDAY, WE'RE HAVING OUR ANNUAL PUMPKIN DECORATING CONTEST AND OUR COSTUME CONTEST.

WE'VE HAD THIS FOR SEVERAL YEARS, AND THERE'S A HUGE PARTICIPATION FROM COUNTY EMPLOYEES.

THEY GET TOGETHER, AND IT'S IT'S KIND OF A FUN EVENT FOR EVERYONE.

WE ARE HOLDING IT HERE IN THE COMMISSIONER'S COURTROOM.

PUMPKIN. THE PUMPKINS WILL BE DISPLAYED. THEY COME IN THURSDAY AFTERNOON FOR JUDGING ONLINE.

JUDGING ON FRIDAY. AND THEN THE COSTUME CONTEST IS AT 10:00 HERE IN THE COMMISSIONER'S COURTROOM.

IF THE PUBLIC WANTS TO COME BY AND CHECK OUT.

THERE IS A LOT OF TALENT IN SANPETE COUNTY EMPLOYEES, I WILL TELL YOU.

AND THEN, OF COURSE, WE'LL HAVE OUR TROPHIES. THANK YOU.

GOOD MORNING, JUDGE. COMMISSIONERS, I HAVE SOME GOOD NEWS. SO TAX BILLS ARE READY TO BE SEEN ONLINE.

THERE WILL BE MAILED OUT THIS WEEK. WHEN YOU GET YOUR TAX BILL, IT HAS FOR THE SCHOOL SCHOOL DISTRICTS, IT HAS THE 140,000 EXEMPTION FOR HOMESTEAD. AND IT ALSO INCLUDES A $60,000 EXEMPTION FOR THE OVER 65 OR THE DISABLED.

NOW, THAT'S DEPENDING ON THE PROPOSITION ON NOVEMBER.

BUT IF FOR SOME REASON IT DOESN'T PASS AND I WILL SEND OUT A BILLS, BUT YOU IT IS AVAILABLE ONLINE TO PAY YOUR TAXES AT THIS MOMENT UNLESS YOU WANT TO WAIT FOR YOUR TAX BILL. BUT THEY WILL GO OUT IN BATCHES.

THEY WON'T GO ALL OUT AT ONE TIME. WE HAVE OVER 50,000 PARCELS THAT GO OUT, SO IT'LL TAKE A LITTLE TIME.

BUT IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN PAYING ONLINE, IT'S ON MY WEB PAGE ON THE COUNTY'S WEBSITE.

THAT'S IT. THANK YOU. HOW CAN YOU SAY GOOD NEWS IN AND TAXES IN THE SAME.

GOOD NEWS. YOU DON'T GIVE US A REPORT. HERE WE GO.

GOOD MORNING. I WOULD JUST LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK EACH AND EVERY SINGLE PRECINCT THAT WAS OUT THERE.

HELPING WITH THE CLEANUP COULD NOT HAVE GONE ANY BETTER.

WE HAD A LINE FROM START TO FINISH. FROM BEFORE SEVEN ALL THE WAY TILL NOON.

COMPLETELY FILLED 640 YARD DUMPSTERS. TO THE RIM.

AND ALSO AN 18 WHEELER, 53 FOOT TIRE TRAILER, COMPLETELY ALMOST FULL.

SO THANK YOU FOR EVERYONE WHO HELPED MAKE THIS EVENT POSSIBLE AND LOOK FORWARD TO NEXT YEAR.

AND ALSO TO THE SAN JOSE COUNTY FARM BUREAU AND ANYONE WHO I MAY HAVE FORGOTTEN.

THANK YOU. ONE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES ARE HERE, MISTER.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR PARTICIPATING IN THAT.

[00:30:03]

OKAY. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF THAT AND THE AG IN THE CLASSROOM OPPORTUNITY THAT WE HAD THIS PAST WEEK TO.

SORRY THAT SOME OF YOU DIDN'T MAKE THAT, BUT THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. MR.. OKAY. ANY OTHER DEPARTMENT HEAD? OKAY. THEN WE'LL GO AHEAD AND MOVE ON TO ITEM TWO, WHICH IS OUR CONSIDERATION OF ACTION ITEMS.

[1. Approval of minutes]

SECOND, A MOTION BY SIKORSKY, SECONDED BY YEARLEY FOR APPROVAL.

ANY CORRECTIONS? ADDITIONS. DISCUSSION ON THE MINUTES.

HEARING NONE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION SAY AYE.

AYE. THOSE OPPOSED SAME SIGN. MOTION CARRIES 2.2 IS OUR FINANCIAL AGENDA.

[a. Examination, consideration, and action on approval of all claims against San Patricio County Pursuant to section 113.064, Texas Local Government Code.]

WOULD YOU PAY THE BILLS? SECOND, A MOTION BY GILLESPIE, SECONDED BY GONZALEZ PAY THE BILLS.

ANY QUESTIONS ON ANY OF THE BILLS THAT ARE PRESENTED THIS MORNING? HEARING NONE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION SAY AYE.

AYE. THOSE OPPOSED? SAME SIGN. MOTION CARRIES.

UNANIMOUS 2.2. B IS BUDGET LINE ITEM TRANSFERS.

[b. Consideration and action on Budget Line Items, Transfers, and Amendments.]

ONE TRANSFERRING FUNDS FROM BUILDING REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE INTO BUILDING THE NEXT ONES OUT OF ROAD AND BRIDGE THREE TRANSFERRING FUNDS FROM SEALCOATING AND GOING INTO VEHICLE REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE, NCO FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT, FURNITURE, VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT AND TRAVEL. AND THE LAST ONES OUT OF CONSTABLE PRECINCT ONE.

TRANSFERRING FUNDS FROM POSTAGE INTO NCO FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT.

MOVE TO GO AHEAD AND APPROVE BUDGET LINE ITEM TRANSFERS. SECOND MOTION BY GILLESPIE, SECONDED BY YEARLEY TO APPROVE BUDGET LINE ITEM TRANSFERS.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION SAY AYE. AYE.

THOSE OPPOSED SAME SIGN 2.2 C IS CONSIDERATION.

[c. Consideration and action on accepting bank reconciliation, investment reports, and related matters by County Treasurer. ]

GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS. THIS WEEK'S TOTAL HEALTH TRANSFER IS $78,000.

OUR SECTION 125 TOTALS $1,905.76, AND WE DO NOT HAVE ANY ESCROW OR ASSERTED CLAIMS. MOVE TO ACCEPT TREASURER'S REPORT. SECOND MOTION.

SECONDED BY GONZALO. ANY QUESTIONS, MISS GARCIA, THIS MORNING.

HEARING NONE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION SAY AYE.

AYE. THOSE OPPOSED? SAME SIGN. MOTION CARRIES.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. 2.3 IS OUR CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS.

[3. Consent Agenda: All Consent Agenda items listed are considered to be routine by the Commissioners Court. Members of the Commissioners Court have been furnished documentation on each item, and all such items may be acted upon by one vote without being discussed separately unless requested by County Judge or a Commissioner:]

WE'LL GO AHEAD. 2.3 A IS ACCEPT AND FULLY EXTENDED INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES FOR INMATE HOUSING AND SERVICES.

BURNETT COUNTY AND COMANCHE COUNTY. 2.3 B IS ACCEPTING RECORDED PROFESSIONAL SERVICE CONTRACT FOR THE FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST TO PROVIDE AUTOPSIES AND RELATED SERVICES AT THE THAT THE CONTRACTED FACILITIES WITH THE REFERRED FEE SCHEDULE AS PREVIOUSLY APPROVED.

AND COMMISSIONERS COURT ON OCTOBER 11TH, 2025.

I MOVE TO APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS 2.3 A AND B SECOND MOTION BY GILLESPIE, SECONDED BY YEARLEY.

ANY QUESTIONS ON EITHER ONE OF THEM? HEARING NONE.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION SAY AYE. AYE.

THOSE OPPOSED? SAME SIGN. MOTION CARRIED. OKAY.

WE'RE GOING DOWN INTO OUR INDIVIDUAL ACTION ITEMS.

[a. Annual Presentation and Report from Coastal Bend Air Quality Partnership by Sharon Murphy.]

GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE.

BEFORE I GET STARTED, I AT FIRST I THOUGHT, OH MY GOODNESS, I DECIDED TO DO MY ANNUAL PRESENTATION.

AND I FELT LIKE DANIEL IN THE LION'S DEN. AND IT WAS LIKE, MAYBE I SHOULD HAVE RESCHEDULED.

BUT THEN I STARTED LISTENING AND I SAID, NO, THIS IS THE PERFECT TIME.

SHARON BAILEY MURPHY, RAISED IN THE PROJECTS AND HILLCREST GRADUATE FROM ROY MILLER HIGH SCHOOL.

MY BACKYARD WAS KERR-MCGEE, WHICH MADE ME IN LOVE WITH CHEMISTRY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE.

I AM HERE, I'M HEALTHY. I HAVE BROTHERS AND SISTERS WHO ARE HEALTHY.

MY BROTHERS ORIGINALLY LIVED WITH MY GRANDPARENTS IN TAFT, TEXAS.

RURAL. RURAL. RURAL. MY BROTHER HAD ASTHMA SO BAD MY MOTHER WOULD HAVE TO COME AND GET HIM.

MY MOTHER WAS 27 YEARS OLD, MARRIED MY DAD. SHE WAS THE ONLY CHILD.

MET HIM AT THE AIR FORCE BASE IN VICTORIA, TEXAS, AND WE TRAVELED ALL OVER.

ENDED UP LIVING IN PHILADELPHIA, WHERE HE WAS FROM.

[00:35:01]

SO AT 27 YEARS OLD, MY MOM MOVED BACK TO TEXAS IN THE PROJECTS, 27 YEARS OLD WITH FIVE BABIES AND NO EDUCATION.

SHE PUT HERSELF THROUGH NURSING SCHOOL, RETIRED AS AN ICU CRITICAL CARE NURSE.

ALL FIVE OF US NEVER BEEN TO JAIL. COLLEGE EDUCATED, MY BROTHER EVENTUALLY MOVED TO THE PROJECTS WITH US.

NEVER HAD ASTHMA AGAIN. MOVING FROM A RURAL PLACE WITH NO INDUSTRY.

NEVER HAVING ASTHMA AGAIN. I COME FROM HILLCREST.

I COME FROM THE PROJECTS. I AM HEALTHY, I, I, I BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A NEXUS BETWEEN ECONOMIC PROSPERITY AND DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL, AND THAT EVERYBODY NEEDS TO BE AT THE TABLE BECAUSE IT'S ALL OF US.

IT'S ALL OF US. AND SO I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT BEFORE I STARTED.

OKAY, SO I'M SHARON BAILEY MURPHY. I AM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE COASTAL BEND AIR QUALITY PARTNERSHIP.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY.

AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THE COASTAL BEND AIR QUALITY PARTNERSHIP.

WE ARE ESPECIALLY GRATEFUL FOR COMMISSIONERS YARDLEY AND COMMISSIONER SKI FOR BEING ON OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

THEIR INSIGHT AND LEADERSHIP HAVE BEEN INSTRUMENTAL AND INVALUABLE IN FULFILLING THE PARTNERSHIP'S MISSION AND VISION.

WE REACHED A MILESTONE IN 2025, 30 YEARS OF WORKING TOGETHER.

SO I'D LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO REFLECT ON THE JOURNEY OF THE COASTAL BEND AIR QUALITY PARTNERSHIP.

WE BEGAN IN 1995 WITH A VISIONARY GROUP OF COMMUNITY LEADERS FROM BOTH SANPETE AND NUECES COUNTY.

BECAUSE OUR AIR SHED IS SAND SAN PET IN NUECES COUNTY.

EMISSIONS FROM BOTH COUNTIES INTERACT TO GIVE US THE AIR QUALITY THAT WE HAVE.

SO IT WAS A VISIONARY GROUP OF COMMUNITY LEADERS FROM NUECES AND SAN COUNTIES WHO SAW THE IMPORTANCE OF PROACTIVE, COMMUNITY DRIVEN AIR QUALITY PLANNING WITH A FOCUS ON MAINTAINING ATTAINMENT, MAINTAINING ATTAINMENT OF NATIONAL AMBIENT AIR QUALITY STANDARDS FOR OZONE.

THE FOUNDING CORPUS CHRISTI AIR QUALITY GROUP, LED BY GRETCHEN ARNOLD, MANY OF YOU KNOW HER, INCLUDED SANPETE COUNTY LEADERS FROM INDUSTRY, ACADEMIA, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, THE MILITARY, AND ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCACY PEOPLE WHO UNDERSTOOD THAT COLLABORATION WAS THE KEY TO LONG TERM SUCCESS.

TODAY, WE ARE THE COASTAL BEND AIR QUALITY PARTNERSHIP AND ESTABLISHED 500 AND 1C3 WITH A BOARD THAT CONTINUES THAT LEGACY WITH A DIVERSE AND DYNAMIC GROUP REPRESENTING MUNICIPALITIES, BOTH COUNTIES, REGIONAL PLANNING ORGANIZATIONS, PUBLIC HEALTH, EDUCATION, INDUSTRY AND COMMUNITY GROUPS. THE MILITARY.

ET CETERA. ET CETERA. WE'VE EXPANDED OUR STAKEHOLDER BASE TO INCLUDE AGRICULTURE, CONSTRUCTION, ENERGY, AND TRANSPORTATION. EVERYONE HAS A SEAT AT THE TABLE, AND THAT'S WHY OUR WORK RESONATES SO STRONGLY ACROSS THE COASTAL BEND. ADDITIONALLY, OUR FOCUS NOW INCLUDES KEEPING ATTAINMENT OF NATIONAL AMBIENT AIR QUALITY STANDARDS FOR PARTICULATE MATTER PM 2.5 AND TEN.

ONE OF THE MOST COMPELLING REMINDERS OF WHY THIS WORK MATTERS IS DOCTOR JIM LEE OF TEXAS A&M CORPUS CHRISTI'S ECONOMIC STUDY, WHICH FOUND THAT NON-ATTAINMENT OF FEDERAL AMBIENT AIR QUALITY STANDARDS FOR OZONE WILL COST OUR REGION FIVE.

$54 BILLION. DOUBLE THAT NUMBER IF WE INCLUDE PM 2.5.

THAT'S $108 BILLION. THAT'S NOT JUST A NUMBER.

IT'S A WAKE UP CALL. AND THANKS TO YOUR SUPPORT AND THE COMMITMENT OF OUR STAKEHOLDERS, WE'VE STAYED IN ATTAINMENT OF NATIONAL AMBIENT AIR QUALITY STANDARDS FOR ALL SIX CRITERIA AIR POLLUTANTS. EVEN AS THE STANDARDS HAVE BECOME MORE STRINGENT AND OUR COMMUNITY HAS GROWN SIGNIFICANTLY SINCE OUR LAST PRESENTATION TO THIS BOARD, TO THIS COURT, WE'VE BEEN VERY BUSY.

OUR BOARD HAS MET REGULARLY, AND OUR FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETS MONTHLY TO ENSURE TRANSPARENCY AND FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY.

WE'VE CONTINUED TO EDUCATE OUR COMMUNITY ON THE SHARED RESPONSIBILITY OF KEEPING OUR AIR QUALITY HEALTHY THROUGH EVENTS, COMMUNITY EVENTS LIKE EARTH DAY BY DAY, AND PARTICIPATION IN STEM DAYS AT AREA ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.

THE AIR QUALITY PARTNERSHIP HAS SHARED OUR WORK WITH LOCAL, STATE AND NATIONAL CONFERENCES.

THE TEXAS STATE LEGISLATOR AND NATIONALLY WITH CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS.

WE'RE DEVELOPING OUR FIRST EVER COASTAL BEND COMMUNITY AIR ACTION PLAN, WHICH OUTLINES PRACTICAL,

[00:40:06]

WE'VE HOSTED OPEN HOUSES IN BOTH NUECES AND SANPETE COUNTIES, ENGAGING RESIDENTS, STUDENTS AND LOCAL LEADERS IN CONVERSATIONS ABOUT AIR QUALITY, HEALTH, AND SUSTAINABILITY. THESE EVENTS HAVE BEEN MORE THAN EDUCATIONAL.

THEY'VE BEEN ENERGIZING, REMINDING US THAT OUR COMMUNITY IS DEEPLY INVESTED IN PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

AND WE ARE PROUD TO SHARE THAT BOTH TC, THE TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND THE UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY HAVE RECOGNIZED OUR MODEL OF COLLABORATION AS A BENCHMARK WHEN THEY TALK TO OTHERS ABOUT COMMUNITY BASED PLANNING.

THEY POINT TO THE COASTAL BEND. THAT'S BECAUSE WE'VE WORKED WITH EVERYONE INDUSTRY, GOVERNMENT, NONPROFIT, EDUCATORS AND CITIZENS TO BUILD A PLAN THAT REFLECTS THE SHARED VALUE AND SHARED RESPONSIBILITY AS WE LOOK BACK ON OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS. WE LOOK AHEAD TO THE FUTURE.

WE DO SO WITH DEEP GRATITUDE. WE COULDN'T HAVE REACHED THE MILESTONE WITHOUT STEADFAST SUPPORT OF SAN PATRICIO COUNTY AND ALL OF OUR STAKEHOLDERS.

YOU'VE HELPED US PROVE THAT ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP IS GOOD ECONOMICS, AND THAT WHEN WE WORK TOGETHER, WE CAN PROTECT OUR NATURAL RESOURCES WHILE BUILDING A THRIVING, RESILIENT ECONOMY.

SO WHAT'S NEXT? HOW CAN SAN PATRICIO COUNTY CONTINUE TO BE OUR PARTNER IN PROTECTING OUR MOST PRECIOUS NATURAL RESOURCES? IN ADDITION TO CONTINUED PRESENCE, PRECIPITATION OR PRECIPITATION, PARTICIPATION ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IN FUNDING, SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY CAN DEVELOP AN OZONE ACTION PLAN FOR COUNTY OPERATIONS.

HAVE FLEETS CHECKS DONE BY POLLUTION PREVENTION PARTNERSHIP AT TEXAS A&M CORPUS CHRISTI AND IMPLEMENT POLICIES THAT PROTECT AIR QUALITY, SUCH AS ANTI-IDLING OF FLEET VEHICLES. YOU CAN HOST P THREE POLLUTION PREVENTION PARTNERSHIP FOR VEHICLE INSPECTIONS FOR YOUR STAFF AND EMPLOYEES, WITH WHICH COME WITH FREE REPAIRS FOR POLLUTING VEHICLES.

YOU CAN ALSO HOST COMMUNITY P THREE INSPECTIONS FOR YOUR COMMUNITY.

SO ONCE AGAIN, I THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP, YOUR PARTNERSHIP AND YOUR VISION.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THIS JOURNEY WITH YOU AND CELEBRATING ANOTHER 30 YEARS OF COLLABORATION, INNOVATION AND IMPACT. THANK YOU. OKAY. THANK YOU.

COMMENTS. QUESTIONS. THANK YOU, MISS MURPHY. SO I HAVE BEEN ON YOUR BOARD FOR A FEW YEARS, AND I THINK I LEARNED SOME NEW THINGS ABOUT YOU TODAY.

SO THANK YOU FOR SHARING. YES. WELL THAT IS TRUE.

OKAY, OKAY. WE'RE GOING TO DEVIATE JUST A LITTLE BIT HERE THIS MORNING.

BEING THAT THERE'S SO MANY OF Y'ALL THAT WANT TO HEAR ABOUT THE INDUSTRIAL PLAN, WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND MOVE THAT UP.

BUT FIRST, I'VE BEEN REQUESTED THAT THE COURT HAVE A QUICK EXECUTIVE SESSION BECAUSE THERE'S A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS THAT WE WANT TO GET ANSWERED.

[4. EXECUTIVE SESSION PUBLIC NOTICE is given that the San Patricio Commissioners Court may elect to go into Executive Session anytime during the meeting to discuss matters listed on the Agenda, when authorized by the provisions of the Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code. To the extent there has been a past practice of distinguishing items for public deliberation and those for executive session, the public is advised that the Court is departing from that practice, and reserves the right to discuss any listed agenda items in executive session when authorized by law to do so. In the event the Commissioners Court elects to go into Executive Session regarding an agenda item the section or sections of the Open Meetings Act authorizing the Executive Session will be publicly announced by the presiding officer. In accordance with the authority of the Government Code, Sections 551.071 (Consultation with Attorney), 551.072 (Deliberation Regarding Real Property), 551.0725 (Contract being Negotiated), 551.073 (Prospective Gift), 551.074 (Personnel Matters), 551.0745 (Personnel Matters Affecting County Advisory Body), 551.076 (Security Devices), 551.086 (Public Utilities Competitive Matters), 551.087 (Economic Development Negotiations) the Commissioners Court will hold an Executive Session to consult with attorney(s) including matters related to litigation; deliberate regarding real property; prospective gift(s); personnel matter(s), including termination; security devices, and/or economic development negotiations and other matters that may be discussed in an Executive Session. Upon completion of the Executive Session, the Commissioners' Court may in an open session take such action as appropriate on items discussed in Executive Session.]

SO THAT WAY Y'ALL DON'T HAVE TO SIT THROUGH THE REST OF THE COURT IF YOU WANT TO LEAVE THIS MORNING.

OKAY. SO WITH THAT I WILL RECESS COMMISSIONERS COURT 40 3 A.M..

AND WE WILL PROCEED TO OUR BACK ROOM. WE WILL BE BACK SHORTLY.

THE PURPOSE OF THE EXECUTIVE SESSION IS UNDER 551071 CONSULTATION WITH ATTORNEY.

[5. RECONVENE: Regular Commissioners Court Session]

RESULT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION. THERE WILL BE NO ACTION TAKEN AT THIS TIME.

OKAY. AND THEN WE WILL GO TO 2.4 F DISCUSSION ON PROPOSED INDUSTRIAL GROWTH PLAN FOR SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY,

[f. Discussion on proposed Industrial Growth Plan for San Patricio County, Texas, August 2025.]

I WANT TO TALK ON THE SUBJECT SO I WILL CALL THEM UP.

FIRST ONE IS FROM SONIA WITHERSPOON.

MY NAME IS SONIA WITHERSPOON. I LIVE IN PRECINCT THREE OUTSIDE OF ODOM.

AFTER WATCHING A LOCAL NEWS REPORT DATED APRIL 16TH, 2024, 24, WHERE THEY INTERVIEWED THE PRECINCT TWO COMMISSIONER ENTITLED SAN PATRICIA COUNTY AWARDS CONTRACT FOR 21ST CENTURY INDUSTRIAL GROWTH PLAN AND THOROUGHLY RESEARCHING THAT PROJECT, I SUBMITTED A PUBLIC INFORMATION REQUEST ON JUNE 18TH, 2025.

TWO MONTHS LATER, THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR ASKED FOR AN EXAMPLE OF ONE OF MY REQUESTS THAT REMAINED UNANSWERED. I FORWARDED THAT ONE TO HER.

[00:45:07]

THAT SAME DAY, INGLESIDE ON THE BAY PASSED A SIMILAR RESOLUTION 25 367.

THE SAME LOCAL NEWS STATION INTERVIEWED THE PORTLAND CITY MANAGER AND MAYOR IN AN ARTICLE AIRED ON OCTOBER 5TH, 2025, ENTITLED WE WANT TO MAKE SURE PORTLAND REMAINS PORTLAND CITY LEADS SAN PATRICIO COUNTY AND NEW INDUSTRIAL GROWTH PLAN.

THE CITY OF FRANCIS PASSED UNANIMOUSLY, VOTED AGAINST IT THE NEXT DAY, AND I HAVEN'T SEEN IT ON ANY OTHER CITY AGENDAS.

I HAVE POSTED THE RESULTS OF MY EXTENSIVE RESEARCH IN MY SANPETE COUNTY FACEBOOK GROUP.

THE PLAN WAS INITIALLY PRESENTED BY THE CITY OF PORTLAND ON OCTOBER 14TH, 2019, NOT IN 2022 WHEN THIS COURT APPROVED UP TO $200,000, INCLUDING 48,000 PREVIOUSLY SPENT ON 913 2021.

THE COUNTY JUDGE STATED CITIES AND ISDS WOULD NEED TO CHIP IN IF THE COST FOR THE PLAN EXCEEDED THAT AMOUNT.

THAT IS WHY I WAS CONFUSED WHEN THE PRECINCT TWO COMMISSIONER GAVE A REPORT ON EIGHT, 14, 20, 23 AND AGAIN THE FOLLOWING WEEK THAT HE WAS ASKING LOCAL INDUSTRIES TO FUND THE 150,000 DIFFERENCE ON 1023, 2023. HE THANKED THE PORT OF CORPUS CHRISTI FOR THEIR 75,000 DONATION AND MENTIONED TEN INDUSTRIES COMMITTED TO FUNDING THE BALANCE.

I HAVE SEARCHED EXTENSIVELY AND CANNOT FIND WHERE ANY OF THOSE GIFTS WERE PRESENTED TO THIS COURT FOR APPROVAL.

THE $299,163 CONTRACT WITH AECOM WAS FINALLY APPROVED ON APRIL 15TH, 2024.

AT THAT TIME, THE PRECINCT TWO COMMISSIONER THANKED THE PORT OF CORPUS CHRISTI AGAIN AND NAMED THE TEN INDUSTRIES.

WHILE IT IS WELL BEYOND THE SEVEN MONTHS INCLUDED IN THE CONTRACT, WHAT ABOUT THE PROPERTY RIGHTS OF CITIZENS LIVING IN OR NEAR THOSE ZONES? IS IT EVEN LEGAL FOR THE COUNTY TO CREATE AND APPROVE ZONES? IS IT ETHICAL TO THREATEN OR BRIBE INDUSTRIES WITH ABATEMENTS VERSUS NO ABATEMENTS? SAN PATRICIO COUNTY IS CURRENTLY DEALING WITH SEVERAL LAWSUITS OVER ABATEMENTS.

THE MOST RECENT SETTLEMENT COST THE COUNTY BETWEEN 900,000 AND 1 MILLION IN LOSSES OVER ABATEMENTS.

I'M OUT OF TIME, SO I'LL POST ABOUT MY CONCERNS ABOUT ANNEXATIONS VERSUS ANNEXATIONS AND CITIZENS RIGHTS PERTAINING TO THOSE IN MY AGE GROUP AS WELL.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. NEXT I HAVE A CARD FROM MR. GEORGE TURNER. THREE MINUTES AIN'T ENOUGH SOMETIMES I'M GEORGE TURNER.

I WAS A MAINTENANCE MAN FOR THE INGLESIDE. ISD.

I WAS A MASTER PLUMBER THERE. THAT COMPETENT PERSON TO GO TO AND URINE PLANT THAT ARE TRYING TO BUILD AROUND THE SCHOOLS IS LIKE A NO NO TO ME. IT'S NOT COMMON HORSE SENSE.

THE SALT CORROSION, THIS ENVIRONMENT HAS THE PLUMBING THAT I, YOU KNOW, GAS LEAKS ALL THE TIME.

EVERY YEAR YOU HAD TO CHECK THEM WATER LEAKS FROM QUARTER TO A TEN INCH MAINS.

BREAK, BREAK. WHAT SCARES ME IS THE STORM, THE SALT, THE THE THE SOUTHEAST WIND THAT BLOWS OVER INGLESIDE.

WE WILL BREATHE THAT PNEUMONIA IS LIKE TERRIBLE, TERRIBLE.

BUT THE ROAD. I WANT TO TALK ABOUT ROADS. YOU CAN GO DOWN THE ROADS A BIG TRUCKS.

THE INDUSTRIES THEY ALREADY BUILT OUT HERE ARE TEARING UP THE ASPHALT RIGHT NOW.

I MEAN, THEY'RE JUST CRACK CRACKED UP. THEY'RE NOT CEMENT LIKE HOUSTON, YOU KNOW, AND THE FREEWAYS THEY BUILT GOING TO THE WRONG AREA. CARS ARE FROM 4 TO 7:00 OR 330, ACTUALLY 4:00.

YOU CAN'T GET THROUGH THE TRAFFIC. I CAN'T EVEN GO TO CHURCH ON SUNDAY SOMETIMES.

AND I DON'T KNOW WHY THEY WORK ON SUNDAY, BUT, YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST THAT THAT'S THE TRUTH.

THE WATER. I WENT UP TO THE LAKE 40FT LOW RIGHT NOW.

I FISHED SATURDAY. IT'S ALMOST GONE, GUYS. AND I HEARD THE LADY TALK ABOUT THE WATER.

YEAH, WE'RE NOT INFRASTRUCTURE. YOU CAN PUT IN A DESALINATION PLANT.

IT WON'T. IT WON'T HELP COMPENSATE THE WATER THEY'RE GOING TO USE.

THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY. IT'S. IT'S A BAD THING.

OKAY. THANK YOU. OKAY. ANSWER, I GUESS. IS THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ON THE INDUSTRIAL MASTERPLAN? ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? COMMENTS? WHILE WE'RE HERE, THIS IS OUR TIME TO TALK.

I HAVE A QUESTION. OKAY, MA'AM, IF YOU'LL GO TO THE MICROPHONE AND STATE YOUR NAME AND YOUR ADDRESS,

[00:50:07]

I THOUGHT THIS WAS VERY INTERESTING. WHAT? THE FIRST LADY THAT WAS UP HERE SPOKE ABOUT WHO PAID FOR THIS STUDY.

CAN I ASK THAT QUESTION? YES, YOU CAN. AND THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE WERE GOING TO TELL Y'ALL.

WE'RE INVESTIGATING EVERYTHING. THE QUESTIONS THAT YOU ALL HAVE RAISED THIS MORNING, WE'RE WE'RE LOOKING INTO IT AS WE SPEAK BECAUSE THE MONEY ISSUE WHERE AND HOW IT WAS TRANSFERRED INTO THE COUNTY'S COFFER.

IF IT WAS ACCOM IN THE CONTRACT THAT WE SIGNED WITH ACCOM, THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO COME TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT, GIVE A PRESENTATION ON THIS PLAN BEFORE WE EVER VOTED FOR IT.

THAT HASN'T HAPPENED. SO WE NEED WE NEED TO GET THAT ACCOMPLISHED.

WE NEED THEM HERE SO THEY CAN ANSWER SOME OF THESE QUESTIONS THAT WE HAVE.

BUT TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, THE COUNTY PAID $150,000, THE PORT PAID $75,000 AND A GROUP OF INDUSTRY PARTNERS, I THINK TEN OF THEM OR SO. COMMISSIONER PROBABLY NO BETTER THAN THAT.

PAID ANOTHER 75,000 TO THE TUNE OF 299,000 AND SOME CHANGE.

OKAY. THANK YOU. WE WILL CHECK AND SEE HOW ALL THAT TRANSPIRED.

SO IS THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? YEAH. I THINK SO. OKAY. AND WE'LL CONCLUDE. WELL, DON'T FORGET ONE MORE STATEMENT.

WE HAVE REQUESTED A AECOM COME AND GIVE A PRESENTATION TO US ON THE PLAN.

WE WILL PUBLICIZE THAT. AND YOU'RE ALL WELCOME TO COME BACK FOR THAT PRESENTATION.

AND THERE'LL BE A QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD WITH THAT AGENDA.

AND I KNOW, I KNOW, SPEAKING FOR MYSELF AND COMMISSIONER PRECINCT THREE, WE'VE BEEN IN OFFICE TEN AND A HALF MONTHS.

WE'RE JUST LEARNING ABOUT THIS, SO WE'RE DIGGING INTO IT.

DEBORAH, I JUST WANTED TO MAKE ONE COMMENT ON THIS THAT I WISH HAD BEEN KIND OF TALKED ABOUT AT THE VERY BEGINNING, WHEN THIS WAS FIRST BROUGHT UP BACK IN 2021, THE INITIAL SCOPE OF THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THE COUNTY WANTED THE CITIES AND I ISDS AND EVERYTHING THING TO LET US KNOW WHERE THEY DID NOT WANT DIFFERENT INDUSTRIAL GROWTHS, BECAUSE WE NEEDED TO KNOW WHAT THE CITY'S PLANS WERE FOR GROWTH, FOR LAYING OUT THEIR COMMUNITIES, FOR THEIR FUTURE GROWTH AND STUFF, TO IDENTIFY WHAT THEY REALLY DIDN'T WANT SO THEY COULD MAINTAIN THEIR YOU KNOW, THEIR WAY OF LIFE AND HEALTH AND WELFARE FOR THEIR CITIZENS AND EVERYTHING.

SO THAT WAS THE ORIGINAL INTENT OF THIS WHOLE THING WAS TO IDENTIFY WHERE YOU DON'T WANT DIFFERENT THINGS AND TO ALSO TALK ABOUT AND THINK ABOUT, OKAY, WHAT KIND OF INDUSTRY WOULD YOU BE INTERESTED IN SO THAT THE COUNTY WOULD KNOW, AS PEOPLE APPROACHED THEM IN THE COUNTY, WHAT THE CITY'S INTENTS AND PLANS WERE AND HOW IT GOT ALL CART BEFORE THE HORSE, I DON'T KNOW, BUT THAT WAS THE ORIGINAL INTENT. AND THAT'S MY MEMORY ALSO OF THAT.

YES. AND WE HAVE A LOT OF LEGAL ISSUES THAT WE NEED TO LOOK INTO TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DO PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF THE COUNTY AS WELL.

SO ALL OF THAT HAS TO BE ANSWERED BY ACOM. AND THEN ONCE THAT IS PRESENTED TO US IN A PLAN, AND THEN WE NEED TO GET LEGAL SOMEWHERE BY THE AUSTIN OR SOMETHING TO TELL US THIS IS LEGAL TO DO, AND THEN WE'LL BE IN GOOD SHAPE. OKAY. THEN WE'LL CONSIDER IT.

YES, WE'LL CONSIDER IT. RIGHT? YES. OKAY. SO THAT CONCLUDES IF THERE'S NO OTHER DISCUSSION ON 2.4 F, THAT IS DISCUSSION ON THAT. THEN WE'LL JUST GO BACK UP TO THE TOP AND START WITH OUR REGULAR PICKUP ON OUR REGULAR AGENDA THAT WE HAVE.

OKAY. WE DID 2.4 A ALREADY. THE PRESENTATION BY THE COASTAL BEND AIR QUALITY BOARD WILL GO INTO ITEM 2.4 FOR CONSIDERATION.

[b. Consideration and action on request from San Patricio County Rural Rail Transportation District Board to fill a vacant seat on the Board; and recommends Mr. Gabriel Grab, General Manager at Savage Gulf Rail to fill this vacancy.]

YES. ANYBODY? I GUESS I'LL GO AHEAD AND MOVE TO APPROVE.

THEY WANT THEM. THAT'S FINE. I'LL SECOND. I A LITTLE DISCUSSION.

OKAY, THEN WE GOT DISCUSSION. I GOT A MOTION BY GILLESPIE, SECONDED BY THE SIKORSKY.

ANY DISCUSSION? MY DISCUSSION WOULD BE IS, YOU KNOW, WHO ARE THE ACTUAL MEMBERS OF THE BOARD?

[00:55:03]

YOU KNOW, OUR. IS IT COSTING THE COUNTY OR IS IT.

WE'RE MAKING MONEY ON IT. WHAT'S THE STATUS OF IT? I MEAN, I'VE BEEN IN OFFICE TEN AND A HALF MONTHS, AND I, I KNEW ABOUT IT IN THE PAST, BUT EVERY VERY LITTLE I EVER TALKED ABOUT.

OKAY. WELL, YEAH. SO I BELIEVE IT'S ON PRECINCT FOUR, UNEDUCATED ON THE THE RAIL.

I WOULDN'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON WITH IT. WHO ELSE IS ON BOARD? WELL, DEBORAH, YOU GOT A LIST OF THEM. AND SPEED HAS OR NOT? SPEED. SPEED. CDC, THE CENTER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

THEY HAVE ALL THE INFORMATION ON THAT AND THE RECORDS I DID NOT ATTACH THAT I ATTACHED TO THEM.

ATTACHED TO OUR AGENDA IS THE LETTER REQUEST.

AND THE PRESIDENT OF THIS ORGANIZATION IS MR. DANIEL LUHRS, VICE PRESIDENT OF MR.. JOHN GREEN.

SECRETARY IS MR.. CHARLES RING AND TREASURER IS MR..

ERIC SCHNEIDER LEAD THE SPC BOARD AND THEY'RE.

YEAH RECOMMENDING THIS GENTLEMAN TO FILL THE VACANT SEAT.

SO OKAY. ANYTHING ELSE? JUST WONDERING WHAT THEY'RE DOING.

WONDER WHAT THEY'RE DOING. THAT'S ALL. I MEAN, IT'S FINE.

I MEAN, THE RAILS HAVE BEEN REAL GOOD, ESPECIALLY UP HERE IN THE CITY.

YOU KNOW, I LISTEN TO THE TRAINS GO BY EVERY DAY AND EVERYBODY ELSE DOES TOO.

BUT IT'S INDUSTRY AND THAT'S PROGRESS. BUT THE FACT THAT, YOU KNOW, RAIL, RAIL IS A GOOD THING IN OUR COUNTY.

IT ALWAYS HAS BEEN. BACK IN THE DAYS WHEN SAINT PAUL WAS THE BIG HUB IN ONE TIME.

YEAH. WE CAN GET MR. LEWIS IN HERE ONCE THEY GET THROUGH GIN AND ALL THAT COTTON THEY GOT OUT THERE.

YEAH. AND STUFF. BUT WE WILL GET HIM IN HERE TO MAKE A PRESENTATION ON THE RURAL RAIL AS TO WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO, YOU KNOW. SO, DEBORAH, MAKE A NOTE OF THAT SOMEWHERE.

AND AS SOON AS THEY GET THROUGH WITH ALL THAT COTTON THEY GOT OUT THERE, WE'LL GET HIM IN HERE WITH THIS BOARD AND MAKE A PRESENTATION FOR US.

LET YOU KNOW WHAT THEY'RE DOING. OKAY. GOT A MOTION AND A SECOND TO GO AHEAD AND APPROVE.

MR. GABRIEL, GRAB TO TAKE OVER THE VACANT SEAT FOR THE RURAL RAIL.

ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION SAY AYE.

AYE. THOSE OPPOSED? SAME SIGN. INSIDE. OKAY. MOTION CARRIES.

OKAY. LET'S GO. 2.4 C DISCUSSION, CONSIDERATION AND ACTION ON HIS NOMINEE FOR THE UPCOMING SAN PATRICIO COUNTY APPRAISAL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS

[c. Discussion, consideration and action on San Patricio County's nominations for the upcoming San Patricio County Appraisal District Board of Directors Election. Current Board Members are: John Curlee, Dr. Anne Matula, Bill T. Wilson II, Michelle Koesema and Marcela "Marcy" Thormaehlen.]

NOMINATIONS IS WHAT THEY'RE ASKING. I THINK SOME OF YOU HAVE BEEN ON CITY COUNCIL.

YOU ALL KNOW WHAT ALL THIS IS. WE CAN EITHER NOMINATE ALL OF THEM OR WE CAN NOMINATE JUST WHOEVER WE WANT TO OUT OF THOSE FIVE FOR THE TO BE UP FOR REELECTION. SO IT'S UP TO THE COURT.

JUST I'D LIKE TO SEE US BASICALLY DISCUSS IT.

YOU KNOW, THE APPRAISAL BOARD IS THE ONE THAT ACTUALLY EVALUATES OUR PROPERTIES AND SETS THAT.

AND IF IT DOESN'T EVER CHANGE, YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES.

SOMETIMES NEW BLOOD. I KNOW ONCE WE HIT 75,000, THEN WE'LL ACTUALLY BE ELECTING OUR OUR APPRAISAL BOARD.

BUT THE APPRAISAL BOARD DOES HIRE THE CHIEF APPRAISER, AND I'M FOR SURE HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE ARB.

BUT, MARCY, YOU CAN FILL US IN. YEAH, IT'S OUR REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE COUNTY THAT'S STATUTORILY THE TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR SITS ON THAT BOARD.

BUT THE IF THE I GET ENOUGH VOTES, THEN I BECOME A VOTING MEMBER.

SO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS SETS POLICY FOR THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT.

WE DO HAVE WE HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH EVALUATIONS.

THAT'S THE APPRAISAL REVIEW BOARD THAT IS APPOINTED BY THE DISTRICT JUDGES, NOT US.

SO WE HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH EVALUATION. WE SET POLICY AND PROCEDURE AND AND THEN WE HIRE THE CHIEF APPRAISER.

AND MARCY, THE THE POINT SYSTEM. EXPLAIN THAT BECAUSE I THINK SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE THE GREATER AMOUNT OF POINTS.

THAT'S CORRECT. AND IT IS BASED ON THE LEVY. THE LEVY FROM EACH SCHOOL, I MEAN FROM EACH ENTITY.

THAT'S HOW YOU ACQUIRE THOSE, THOSE VOTES, THE NUMBER OF VOTES.

SO EACH YEAR, WELL, EACH TIME THAT THOSE NOMINATIONS COME UP IN THE ELECTIONS, THE APPRAISER DOES A CALCULATION AS TO HOW MANY VOTES ACCORDING TO THE LEVY FOR THAT PARTICULAR YEAR.

SO THAT COUNTY HAS ABOUT 1100 VOTES, 1107 VOTES.

YES, WE HAVE. AND THAT'S BASED ON OUR LEVY. YOU KEEP YOU ON THE BOARD AS A VOTING MEMBER, YOU NEED APPROXIMATELY, WHAT, 800 AND SOME THAT I DON'T KNOW, I DON'T KNOW.

LAST YEAR. WELL, THE LAST TIME WE WERE NOMINATED SOMEWHERE LIKE SHE SITS ON THE VOTING BOARD,

[01:00:02]

OKAY. RIGHT. STATUTORILY, THE TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR HAS TO SIT ON THERE, BUT THE COUNTY HAS GIVEN ME AND SOME OF THE OTHER JURISDICTIONS HAVE GIVEN YOU THE VOTES TO BE A VOTING MEMBER. YES, SIR. OKAY. SO I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY HOW MANY I WOULD NEED, BUT I DID TALK TO MR. LIGHT TODAY. SO WE DO HAVE ALONG WITH THE OTHER FOUR BESIDES ME.

THERE'S TWO OTHER NOMINEES. SO YOU WILL GET THAT LIST AFTER THE NOMINATIONS ARE DONE, AND THEN YOU'LL GET A CHANCE TO VOTE FOR HOWEVER MANY YOU WANT.

THE BOARD WILL. SO THAT WAS GOING TO BE MY QUESTION.

SO WE HAVE FIVE SEATS. THAT'S CORRECT. THESE FIVE MEMBERS.

AND NOW THERE'S TWO OTHER NOMINATIONS. YES. HE SAID THAT THIS MORNING.

RIGHT. SO AND AND YOU WERE CORRECT IN SAYING ONCE WE HIT 75,000 AS FAR AS THE CENSUS IS CONCERNED, THEN THOSE BECOME ELECTED POSITIONS. HALLELUJAH.

COME ON. 75. NO. SO BUT BUT THAT'S WHERE WE'RE AT.

SO THESE ARE JUST THE NOMINATIONS. HE DID TELL ME THAT. MY FEELING IS WHEN YOU'RE ELECTED, YOU'RE MORE ACCOUNTABLE.

OKAY, SO IF THIS BOARD WANTS TO ELECT WHOEVER, NOMINATE WHOEVER.

YES, SIR. AND THEN WE BRING IT BACK FOR THE VOTE AFTER THE VOTE AFTER.

YES SIR. AFTER THEY GET ALL THE NOMINATIONS, AND THEN HE'LL SEND OUT A BALLOT.

WELL, WHAT ACTION DO WE NEED TO TAKE TODAY? I DON'T THINK WE NEED NOMINATIONS. WHOEVER YOU WANT TO NOMINATE. IF YOU WANT TO NOMINATE ANYBODY OR ANYONE ELSE, ANYONE ELSE, THAT'S ONE OF THE FIVE ZERO OR THE FIVE OR SOMEBODY ELSE.

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE ASKING FOR, TO BE PART OF THE PROCESS.

I'M THE ONLY ONE THAT HASN'T BEEN NOMINATED. OF THAT LIST IS ME.

WELL, THEN IT'S ME. OH, YOU WANT ME TO? YEAH, I'LL DO IT.

YES, I NOMINATE MARTY. I'LL SECOND THAT MOTION IN A SECOND TO NOMINATE MARCY, FOR SURE.

OKAY, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THAT MOTION SAY AYE.

AYE. ALL OPPOSED? SAME SIGN. YOU'RE NOMINATED.

OKAY, WELL YOU DIDN'T. OKAY, NOW, WHO ELSE DO YOU WANT TO NOMINATE? ANYBODY? I'LL TELL YOU. ALL THE OTHERS HAVE BEEN NOMINATED.

ALL THE REST OF THEM HAVE BEEN. THAT IS CORRECT. THAT'S WHAT THE APPRAISER. OH, WE DON'T NEED TO WORRY ABOUT ANY OF THE REST, OKAY? RIGHT.

LET'S JUST LET'S ADD AN ADDITIONAL THREE, I THINK.

WELL WE HAVEN'T SEEN THOSE YET. YEAH. NO YOU WON'T SEE THOSE YET. YEAH. WE WON'T SEE THOSE UNTIL WE GET ALL OF THEM. RIGHT.

YES, MA'AM. DOES THE NUMBER OF NOMINEES DETERMINE WHO GOES ON THE BALLOT? NO. SO MICHELLE KUZMA HAS BEEN NOMINATED. THAT IS CORRECT.

OKAY. SHE'S VERY GOOD ON THE BOARD. YES SHE IS.

OKAY. VERY GOOD. OKAY. NOTHING ELSE. OKAY. ANYBODY HAVE ANYBODY ELSE THEY WANT TO NOMINATE? THIS IS A CHANCE IF YOU GOT SOMEBODY. AND AGAIN THIS BOARD HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH EVALUATIONS.

IT'S JUST POLICY AND PROCEDURES AND HIRING THE CHIEF APPRAISER.

THAT'S IT. WHO BASICALLY HIRES THE APPRAISERS OUT THERE? THE APPRAISERS. CORRECT. CORRECT. CORRECT. ALL RIGHT.

THING OF THINGS HE DOES THAT THE BOARD DOES. WELL, WE CAN'T TALK TO HIM ABOUT VALUES.

IT'S A MISDEMEANOR. OKAY. OKAY. SO WE GOT WE HAVE MARTHA NOMINATED FOR THE RIGHT AND NOBODY.

NOTHING ELSE? NO. AND THAT CONCLUDES OUR CALL FOR THE VOTE.

FOR THE VOTE. CALL FOR THE VOTE, JUDGE. CALL FOR THE VOTE.

OKAY, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF NOMINATING MARCY UNDER THE ITEM AGENDA 2.4.

SAY AYE. AYE. OPPOSED? SAME SIGN. MOTION CARRIES.

GOOD STUFF. THANK YOU. OKAY. 2.4 D CONSIDERATION AND ACTION ON A REQUEST FROM OSCAR RIVERA,

[d. Consideration and action on request from Oscar Rivera, County Sheriff, to approve an Interlocal Agreement with the following county for inmate housing and services: 1. Refugio County]

AND THIS IS REFUGIO COUNTY. MOVE TO APPROVE. SECOND.

YEAH. REAL QUICK, JUST FOR YOUR INFORMATION, TO BE TRANSPARENT.

REMEMBER, ON OCTOBER 13TH, WE APPROVED AN INTERLOCAL MOU WITH REFUGIO COUNTY.

OKAY, WE SENT THAT MOU UP TO REFUGIO COUNTY'S COMMISSIONERS COURT.

THEY REJECTED THAT MOU AND THE ONLY REASON WHY IT WAS REJECTED.

WE WERE SAYING $75 PER INMATE IN OUR AGREEMENT.

THEY LOWERED IT TO $60. AN INMATE. OH, OKAY. VERY NICE OF THEM.

YEAH, I'M NOT GOING TO ARGUE WITH THEM. SO IT HELPED THE COUNTY OUT A LOT.

SO THAT'S A VERY GOOD REASON THAT WE HAVE A GOOD RELATIONSHIP.

YEAH. THE SHERIFF HAS A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM.

YEAH. GOOD RELATIONSHIP. OKAY. MOTION TO APPROVE.

OKAY. I GOT A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GONZALEZ, SECOND, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GILLESPIE.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION SAY AYE. AYE.

OPPOSED? SAME SIGN. OKAY. MOTION CARRIES 2.4.

[e. Consideration and action on request from Commissioner William E. Zagorski Sr., Road and Bridge Precinct # 1, to approve the proposal from S&J Fence Co. for fencing & solar-powered sliding gates around the perimeter of the 9715 HWY 181 property in Taft. ]

[01:05:02]

SECOND OKAY. MOTION BY GONZALEZ. SECONDED BY GILLESPIE.

IS THERE ANY QUESTIONS? THIS IS FOR DEFINITELY FOR SECURITY.

OKAY. ANY COMMENTS? HEARING NONE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION SAY AYE.

AYE. THOSE OPPOSED SAME SIGN. MOTION CARRIES.

2.4 F. WE'VE ALREADY CONCLUDED. SO WE'LL GO DOWN TO ITEM THREE WHICH IS OUR PERSONNEL DELIBERATE AND CONSIDER ACTION EMPLOYEE SALARY.

[3. PERSONNEL-Employment and current employee status changes in accordance with the current personnel policies, County Budget, and State law with notification of such changes to the payroll division of the Treasurer's office.]

FULL TIME REGULAR NONEXEMPT GRADE 104. STEP TWO AT $2,852.61 PER MONTH, EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 14TH, 2025. 3.1 B ANGELA GONZALEZ, TERMINATION JUVENILE SUPERVISION OFFICER JUVENILE DETENTION FULL TIME REGULAR NONEXEMPT GRADE 107, STEP ONE AT $3,523 IN $0.09 PER MONTH, WITH A $50 PER MONTH ALLOWANCE, EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 20TH, 2025. ADRIAN MARTIN OTHER STATUS CHANGE.

HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR TWO. ROAD AND BRIDGE THREE.

FULL TIME REGULAR NONEXEMPT GRADE 106. STEP FOUR AT $3,822 PER MONTH TO PART TIME TEMPORARY NONEXEMPT GRADE 106 STEP FOUR PLUS AT TWO AT $22.05 PER HOUR EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 1ST, 2025.

GREG GUTIERREZ, EMPLOYMENT CREWMAN ROAD AND BRIDGE THREE FULL TIME REGULAR NONEXEMPT GRADE 104 STEP TWO AT $2,995.24 PER MONTH, EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 3RD, 2025.

SALARY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS STEP TWO FOR CLASSIFICATION AND COMPENSATION PLAN GUIDELINES REQUESTS BY ELECTED OFFICIAL AT STEP FOUR PLUS AT $3,293.33 PER MONTH, THREE POINT ONE E JOHN HEISEL EMPLOYMENT. HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR TWO. ROAD AND BRIDGE THREE.

FULL TIME REGULAR NON EXEMPT. GRADE 106. STEP FOUR AT $3,719.78 PER MONTH EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 3RD, 2025. SALARY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS STEP FOUR PER CLASSIFICATION AND COMPENSATION PLAN.

GUIDELINES REQUESTED BY ELECTED OFFICIAL IS STEP FIVE PLUS AT $3,874.78 PER MONTH, 3.1 F CRYSTAL JUAREZ, EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM MANAGER, HEALTH EDUCATOR, COMMUNITY BASED PROGRAM FULL TIME, REGULAR EXEMPT GRADE 112 STEP ONE AT $4,941.31 PER MONTH WITH A $50 PER MONTH PHONE ALLOWANCE, EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 3RD, 2025. MOVE TO APPROVE 3.1 A THROUGH F WITH THE ELECTED OFFICIALS REQUESTED SALARIES.

SECOND, A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GILLESPIE, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONERS AUTHORITY TO APPROVE PERSONNEL ISSUES WITH THE ELECTED OFFICIALS REQUESTED RECOMMENDATION. YEP.

OKAY. THAT'S CORRECT. ANY OF THEM? HEARING NONE.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION SAY AYE. AYE.

THOSE OPPOSED? SAME SIGN. MOTION CARRIES. 3.2 IS ACCEPTED AND RECORD EMPLOYEE STATUS CHANGES.

WE HAVE NONE. ITEM FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION. MOTION TO ADJOURN.

MOTION BY GILLESPIE, SECONDED BY SIKORSKI TO ADJOURN.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION SAY AYE. AYE.

OPPOSED. SAME SIGN. MOTION CARRIES. ADJOURNED.

10:33 A.M..

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.