WORKSHOP - AUGUST 4, 2026
BE IT REMEMBERED, that on this 4th day of August A.D., 2026, there was begun and held a WORKSHOP of the Honorable Commissioners’ Court of Hidalgo County, Texas, wherein the following members thereof were present, to-wit:
| HONORABLE RICHARD F. CORTEZ HONORABLE DAVID FUENTES HONORABLE EDUARDO "EDDIE" CANTU HONORABLE EVERARDO "EVER" VILLARREAL HONORABLE ELLIE TORRES |
HIDALGO COUNTY JUDGE COMMISSIONER, PRECINCT NO. 1 COMMISSIONER, PRECINCT NO. 2 COMMISSIONER, PRECINCT NO. 3 COMMISSIONER, PRECINCT NO. 4 |
and ARTURO GUAJARDO, JR., COUNTY CLERK & EX-OFFICIO CLERK OF THE COMMISSIONERS COURT of Hidalgo County, Texas, wherein the following proceedings were had, to-wit:
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WORKSHOP HIDALGO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT AUGUST 4, 2026 11:00 A.M. |
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NOTICE is hereby given in accordance with Chapter 551, Texas Government Code, that a WORKSHOP of the Commissioners Court will be held in the Commissioners Courtroom of the Administration Building, 100 E. Cano, 1st floor, Edinburg, Hidalgo County, Texas. Discussion and possible action relating to the following business will be transacted:
1.
Roll Call (Audio Reference 1h:14m:39s)
Judge Richard F. Cortez called the meeting to order at 11:00 A.M.
All members of the Court were present for roll call.
Judge Richard F. Cortez called the meeting to order at 11:00 A.M.
All members of the Court were present for roll call.
2.
AI-104228
Discussion on 2027 Budget Status Report (Audio Reference 1h:15m:32s)
Dagoberto Soto, Director of Budget and Management, presented an overview of the FY2027 budget process, including current revenues, preliminary projections, expenditure requests, financial outlook, and anticipated budget challenges. He reported that approximately $46 million in departmental requests, including approximately $26 million related to personnel and benefits, were under review. Mr. Soto identified rising personnel costs, increased service demands, infrastructure and deferred maintenance needs, revenue uncertainty, reserve policy, and public expectations as key challenges for FY2027. He also noted that a five-year financial outlook would be included with the proposed budget.
The Court discussed funding priorities, including Road and Bridge needs, with emphasis on addressing unpaved roads throughout the County. Commissioner Cantu recommended considering at least $2 million per precinct for Road and Bridge funding, while Commissioner Villarreal discussed the need for additional paving in Precinct 3. Mr. Soto noted that approximately $13 million had been allocated for Road and Bridge the prior year and that approximately $15 million in transfers was being considered for FY2027. An additional budget workshop was recommended for September 1, 2026, to further address Road and Bridge needs and allow sufficient time for any necessary action prior to the September 15 budget deadline.
The Court also discussed revenue projections, including the importance of appropriately budgeting investment earnings, as well as the use of funds previously budgeted for out-of-county inmate housing. Commissioner Cantu expressed concern that funds no longer needed for that purpose should be returned to the General Fund. The Court further discussed the operating costs of the new courthouse, which were reported to be consistent with projections. Mr. Valde Guerra clarified for the record that the proposed pay plan increases include elected offices and are subject to applicable criteria and limitations.
The Court received the presentation and discussed the FY2027 budget priorities and challenges.
Commissioner Torres stepped away from the meeting during the presentation.
Dagoberto Soto, Director of Budget and Management, presented an overview of the FY2027 budget process, including current revenues, preliminary projections, expenditure requests, financial outlook, and anticipated budget challenges. He reported that approximately $46 million in departmental requests, including approximately $26 million related to personnel and benefits, were under review. Mr. Soto identified rising personnel costs, increased service demands, infrastructure and deferred maintenance needs, revenue uncertainty, reserve policy, and public expectations as key challenges for FY2027. He also noted that a five-year financial outlook would be included with the proposed budget.
The Court discussed funding priorities, including Road and Bridge needs, with emphasis on addressing unpaved roads throughout the County. Commissioner Cantu recommended considering at least $2 million per precinct for Road and Bridge funding, while Commissioner Villarreal discussed the need for additional paving in Precinct 3. Mr. Soto noted that approximately $13 million had been allocated for Road and Bridge the prior year and that approximately $15 million in transfers was being considered for FY2027. An additional budget workshop was recommended for September 1, 2026, to further address Road and Bridge needs and allow sufficient time for any necessary action prior to the September 15 budget deadline.
The Court also discussed revenue projections, including the importance of appropriately budgeting investment earnings, as well as the use of funds previously budgeted for out-of-county inmate housing. Commissioner Cantu expressed concern that funds no longer needed for that purpose should be returned to the General Fund. The Court further discussed the operating costs of the new courthouse, which were reported to be consistent with projections. Mr. Valde Guerra clarified for the record that the proposed pay plan increases include elected offices and are subject to applicable criteria and limitations.
The Court received the presentation and discussed the FY2027 budget priorities and challenges.
Commissioner Torres stepped away from the meeting during the presentation.
3.
Adjourn (Audio Reference 1h:35m:40s)
Judge Richard F. Cortez adjourned the workshop with a vote of approval at 11:22 A.M.
On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 3, “EVER” VILLARREAL, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 1, DAVID FUENTES, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval to adjourn the meeting.
Vote: 4 - 0 - Unanimously
The Court returned to the regular Commissioners Court meeting and continued with Agenda Item 17.A.
Judge Richard F. Cortez adjourned the workshop with a vote of approval at 11:22 A.M.
On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 3, “EVER” VILLARREAL, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 1, DAVID FUENTES, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval to adjourn the meeting.
Vote: 4 - 0 - Unanimously
The Court returned to the regular Commissioners Court meeting and continued with Agenda Item 17.A.
There being no further business to come before said
Court, the meetings of the Commissioners Court and the
Drainage District #1 Board are now hereby adjourned.
Dated this the 4th day of August, 2026
ARTURO GUAJARDO, JR., County Clerk
Hidalgo County, Texas
By: ______________________________
Daniela E. Zedillo-Hinojosa, Deputy
I, ARTURO GUAJARDO, JR., County Clerk attest that this is an accurate accounting of a proceeding of the Commissioners Court held on August 4, 2026.
Signed this 13th day of August 2026
ATTEST:
ARTURO GUAJARDO, JR.
County Clerk and Ex-Officio Clerk
Of the Commissioners Court of
Hidalgo County
By: ____________________________
(Seal) Daniela E. Zedillo-Hinojosa, Deputy
Court, the meetings of the Commissioners Court and the
Drainage District #1 Board are now hereby adjourned.
Dated this the 4th day of August, 2026
ARTURO GUAJARDO, JR., County Clerk
Hidalgo County, Texas
By: ______________________________
Daniela E. Zedillo-Hinojosa, Deputy
I, ARTURO GUAJARDO, JR., County Clerk attest that this is an accurate accounting of a proceeding of the Commissioners Court held on August 4, 2026.
Signed this 13th day of August 2026
ATTEST:
ARTURO GUAJARDO, JR.
County Clerk and Ex-Officio Clerk
Of the Commissioners Court of
Hidalgo County
By: ____________________________
(Seal) Daniela E. Zedillo-Hinojosa, Deputy