Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

09-07-25

   On Monday morning, September 8th, 2025 at 10AM the Uvalde County Commissioners Court is set to cast a final vote on the proposed 2025/2026 Uvalde County Budget following a public hearing at the Uvalde County Courthouse. It is not clear of those who cannot attend this vote can access the live-stream video of the proceeds due to a history of glitches with the Uvalde County Audio/Video Equipment.

 According to a notice posted on the Uvalde County Website about the public hearing, it states that the total proposed budget will raise more total property taxes than last year’s budget by $2,132,665 or 13.61% and of that amount, $213,715.00in new property added to the tax rolls this year.

The notice also states that the proposed budget includes a 5% cost of living adjustment.

A copy of the final budget draft can be found here.

 The total proposed budget for Uvalde County is $65,141,518.07 up from the amended budget passed in 2024 which was $44,588,585.45 according to the County of Uvalde Budget 2025-2026 budget posted on the County’s website.

 It is not clear if $10 million the court agreed to borrow this year is included in the proposed budget.

Concerns raised about the 2025-2026 proposed county budget:

Uvalde County Clerk’s staff salaries:

  According to County Clerk Donna M. Williams, her request is to be able to pay her staff according to their duties, responsibilities and the services that they provide to the community. Many county officials start their staff at 35k or more and are able to give increases as they see fit.

  According to ZipRecruiter (August 2025 data), the average annual salary for County Clerk staff in Texas is approximately $39,516, with an hourly average of $19.00/hr.

  The 25th percentile is around $32,100/year, and the 75th percentile is about $41,900/year.

  Out of 5 Uvalde County Clerk employees’ salaries listed on the 2025/2026 proposed budget including the county clerk’s office chief deputy at $32,864, the average salary of the 4 staff members amounts to $29.906. (salary decimal amounts not calculated in)

Uvalde County Volunteer Fire Departments

  Of the County’s Volunteer Fire Departments receiving funds from the county and not part of an Emergency Services District which includes, Knippa VFD, Sabinal VFD and Reagan Wells VFD, according to the proposed budget, each department will receive less than $10K each with the City of Uvalde Volunteer Fire Department budgeted to receive $15,000.

 Due to the perceived need for funds, the Uvalde County Commissioners voted to approve a petition to create an Emergency Services District (Knippa, Sabinal and Reagan Wells) taxing entity, which if approved by voters this November’s upcoming election will levy up to 10 cents per $100 value directly on property owners in Uvalde County.

by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

03-25-25

Uvalde County Commissioners Court met on Monday, March 25th, 2025:

Diana Olvedo-Karau questions commissioners on details of its county animal control budget.

Texas Hill Country River Region Executive Director Hailey Conrad projects 20% reduction in area tourism if drought conditions persist. She went on to say that if the drought conditions persist, the HOT Tax entity also known as Visit Uvalde County plans on focusing its marketing efforts in promoting off-season events and activities.

Court approves adoption of Capt family-initiated Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone plan following suit with the City of Uvalde.

by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

11-24-24

The Uvalde County Commissioners Court will hold a public hearing on the successful status of the County being approved to the State’s Countywide Polling Program followed by a vote on a resolution of being accepted to the State’s Countywide Polling Program.

Commissioners will also consider a resolution supporting the County Fuel Tax Exemption.

The Texas Hill County River Region will also be presenting its 3rd Quarter report to the Court.

A video live stream of the proceedings can be viewed at (269) Uvalde County Judge – YouTube

by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

Photos by Diana Olvedo-Karau

11-13-24

 Uvalde County Commissioners voted in favor of swearing-in Roland Sanchez for the unexpired term for the Justice of the Peace Precinct 6 Seat at the Tuesday, November 12th, 2024 court proceedings. 

 Nieto Luna who was the previous Justice of the Peace for Precinct died on April 6th this year during his term. Following Nieto’s passing, the Uvalde County Commissioners Court decided not to fill the unexpired term until after the 2024 November 5th election. 

 According to Uvalde County Judge Bill Mitchell, the appointment was only for the unexpired term which will come to an end December 31st, 2024.  

 On November 5th, 2024, the Uvalde County Elections Office released the unofficial results of the J.P.  Precinct 6 race where Sanchez received 807 votes edging out Mario Valdez who had 807 votes. Write-in Candidate Claudia Rodriguez received 204 votes. 

 The Commissioner’s Court’s decision to swear-in Roland Sanchez did not happen without controversy.

“There are still over two hundred provisional ballots that have not been counted and reviewed, there are possibly military ballots. There are also some mail-in ballots. The election has not been certified, can’t be certified until all of the ballots have been counted,” Diana Olvedo-Karau said. 

 As pointed out by Diana Olvedo-Karau speaking on the topic at Tuesday’s court meeting, she asked why Commissioners would choose to fill the unexpired term now when previously, the Court voted not to appoint someone to fill the position after Nieto’s death but rather wait until the November 5th election. 

“Does the statute allow for an appointment now after the fact?” Diana Karau said. 

  Mitchell said that the term is only being filled until December 31st.

  Also questioned at the meeting by Emma Trimble who also spoke at the meeting was the legality of appointing Sanchez to the seat for the unexpired term before the votes were canvassed and the results became official. 

 ” Seeing this in the paper (the Uvalde Leader-News) was quite disturbing and the fact that it actually says that you will be swearing in J.P. 6 is certainly is against election code: number 1.  Secondly it is highly disrespectful to the other candidates. How do we just decide that we’re going to circumvent the code and just swear Mr. Sanchez?” Trimble said.

Trimble continued stating, “The agenda item here is that you are circumventing election code.”

Commissioner Yeackle said, ” I concede that the newspaper article was a bit confusing.”

Mitchell stated that he doesn’t write the newspaper and said, “Take it up with the press.”

by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

11-07-24

 The Uvalde County Commissioners Court will be holding its first meeting this month on Tuesday, November 12th at 10 AM at the 3rd floor courtroom of the Uvalde County Courthouse.  Monday, November 11th is Veteran’s Day and County offices will be closed in observance of this federal holiday.

A livestream of the proceedings can be viewed on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@uvaldecountyjudge9535

On the agenda, the Court will consider and act on a request to partner with Uvalde CISD for an EPA Community Change Grant and approve an interlocal agreement. 

The court will also swear in the Justice of the Peace, Precinct 6,  to fill an unexpired term. 

See the complete agenda packet .pdf file below. Use controls to see all pages.

Agenda for Tuesday, November 12th, 2024 at 10 AM