Key Takeaways
- Presidio County commissioners approved the Sheriff’s Office’s application for an $80,000 Texas Comptroller Sheriff Immigration Law Enforcement Grant, noting no local match is required.
- The court authorized submission of a Texas Water Development Board application for House Bill 500 Water Supply and Infrastructure Grant funding, with plans to consult engineers and evaluate both county‑wide and municipal water needs.
- GCS IT Services presented a managed IT and cybersecurity package (~$3,000/month for ~30 devices), prompting officials to consider incorporating such services into the upcoming budget.
- Commissioners authorized an engagement letter with Valbridge Property Advisors to appraise two county‑owned parcels in the North Park area, a prerequisite for a future request‑for‑proposals sale process.
- An interlocal agreement was formalized among Brewster, Presidio, and Jeff Davis counties for pro‑rated funding of the Tri‑County Juvenile Probation office, with Brewster acting as fiscal agent.
- Two sheriff’s office vehicles (a 2013 and a 2005 Ford F‑150) were declared surplus and slated for auction on July 25, with estimated values of $4,000 and $5,0, and $5,000 respectively.
Budget Season Preparations and Grant Applications
As the county’s budget season approaches, Presidio County commissioners devoted much of Wednesday’s regular meeting to the procedural machinery that underpins local government operations. The discussion centered on pursuing external funding streams, assessing critical water‑infrastructure needs, and evaluating technology‑support options. By addressing these items early, officials aim to strengthen the county’s fiscal position and service delivery ahead of the formal budget workshops.
Sheriff Immigration Law Enforcement Grant Approval
The commissioners approved the Presidio County Sheriff’s Office’s application for $80,000 through the Texas Comptroller’s Sheriff Immigration Law Enforcement Grant Program. A representative clarified that the allocation is based on the county’s population and that the vote merely authorizes submission; should the grant be awarded, the county must still follow its standard approval, budgeting, and purchasing procedures. Notably, the grant does not require a local match, which eased concerns about additional fiscal burden. A supporting resolution for FY2026‑2027 funding and the adoption of required grant assurances were also passed unanimously.
Water Supply and Infrastructure Grant Initiative
The court likewise authorized a resolution to submit an application to the Texas Water Development Board for House Bill 500 Water Supply and Infrastructure Grant funding. Ramon Rodríguez Aranda of Lone Star Strategy Group explained that the resolution is a necessary paperwork step to complete the state‑portal application. County Judge Joe Portillo emphasized that the funding is available exclusively to counties—not cities—and is intended for drinking‑water‑related infrastructure. Aranda added that the county plans to engage Mundo and Associates, an engineering firm scheduled to conduct site visits on Monday, to assess colonias and other water‑needs across the county. Portillo suggested that after evaluating county‑level priorities, officials could reach out to Marfa and Presidio to identify any urgent municipal projects—such as valve replacements or meter upgrades—that the county might support. He noted that having shovel‑ready projects could improve the grant’s competitiveness during scoring.
Cybersecurity and Managed IT Presentation
Turning to technology infrastructure, commissioners heard a presentation from GCS IT Services regarding cybersecurity, cloud‑based data backup, and managed IT options for county departments. The El Paso‑based provider described its offerings as remote IT support, continuous cybersecurity monitoring, and automated data backup, allowing employees to submit support tickets for issues with computers, printers, internet connections, or other hardware. GCS estimated that a fully managed IT and cybersecurity package for roughly 30 county devices would cost about $3,000 per month—or approximately $36,000 annually—depending on the final device count. Auditor Alicia Sanchez remarked that while the county has previously relied on other cyber‑security supports, departments still encounter day‑to‑day technology problems. She expressed a desire to factor IT needs into the upcoming budget, especially as insurers and other entities increasingly inquire about counties’ cybersecurity safeguards. No action was taken on the presentation; officials agreed to review the proposal and potentially revisit it later in the budget process.
Property Appraisal Engagement for Future Sales
In other business, the commissioners authorized County Attorney Blair Park to enter into an engagement letter with Valbridge Property Advisors to obtain appraisals for two county‑owned parcels in the North Park area near Vizcaino Park. The appraisals are required before the county can proceed with a request‑for‑proposals (RFP) process for selling the properties, as state law mandates that the minimum bid be based on an independent valuation. One parcel is about five acres; the other spans roughly 10.6 acres and includes structures and a lease—specifically, Ballroom Marfa’s Bull Barn—necessitating a more detailed assessment. Park hopes to have the appraisal for the smaller parcel ready for the July 22 commissioners’ meeting, allowing an RFP to be brought forward then. The larger parcel’s appraisal is expected to extend into August due to its complexity.
Interlocal Juvenile Probation Agreement Formalized
The court also approved an interlocal agreement among Brewster, Presidio, and Jeff Davis counties concerning pro‑rated payments to the Tri‑County Juvenile Probation office, with Brewster County designated as the fiscal agent. Judge Portillo noted that while a regional juvenile‑probation arrangement has existed for years, no formal interlocal agreement could be located. The newly approved document codifies the partnership, clarifying each county’s financial responsibilities and ensuring continued collaborative support for juvenile‑justice services across the three jurisdictions.
Declaration of Surplus Sheriff’s Vehicles
Finally, the commissioners declared two sheriff’s office vehicles surplus so they may be included in the upcoming sheriff’s vehicle auction on July 25. The vehicles are a 2013 Ford F‑150 with 213,881 miles and a 2005 Ford F‑150 with 134,461 miles. A sheriff’s representative explained that both trucks are being retired from frontline service due to age and ongoing operational wear. The 2013 model originated as an unclaimed impounded vehicle that was titled to the sheriff’s office in 2014, while the 2005 truck was purchased with county funds. Current market estimates place the 2013 truck at approximately $4,000 and the 2005 truck at about $5,000. Declaring them surplus clears the way for the county to recoup some value through the auction process.
Conclusion
Wednesday’s meeting showcased Presidio County’s proactive approach to managing fiscal, infrastructural, and technological challenges as it heads into budget season. By securing grant authorizations for law‑enforcement and water projects, exploring managed IT solutions, preparing property assets for sale, formalizing regional juvenile‑probation cooperation, and clearing out obsolete equipment, the commissioners are laying a multifaceted groundwork aimed at enhancing service delivery, protecting public resources, and positioning the county for future growth. The decisions made—while largely procedural—will have tangible impacts on the county’s ability to respond to resident needs, maintain essential infrastructure, and uphold safety and efficiency across departments. As the budget workshops loom, these approved items will inform revenue projections, expenditure priorities, and strategic planning efforts in the months ahead.