Kinney County Commissioners Court Notes: May 12 Regular Meeting

The Kinney County Commissioners Court met on Monday, May 12, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. in the District Courtroom in Brackettville. The session opened with a prayer led by County Judge John Paul Schuster, thanking God for the recent rainfall and asking for continued blessings for the land and community. A series of monthly reports were delivered from county departments. Highlights include:

• EMS responded to 25 calls in April, with 15 transports, and welcomed a new volunteer EMT from the Texas National Guard stationed in Eagle Pass. Installation of the Starlink system is expected by the end of the month to improve connectivity.

• Sheriff’s Office reported 1,977 outstanding Operation Lone Star warrants, with 25–30 being served monthly. Sheriff Coe also detailed efforts to prioritize warrants based on severity and location, and discussed strategic collaborations with DPS and other agencies.

• Detention Center currently holds 13 inmates, with some awaiting mental health evaluations due to limited state hospital availability. The Sheriff noted concerns about long-term inmate housing due to a state backlog.

• Kinney County Grants Office shared updates on FEMA generator replacement plans, indicating a shift from 8 to 7 units and proposed budget modifications due to inflation. The team is also submitting a grant application to the Moody Foundation for $1 million to support little league field improvements. The Grants Office raised concerns about upcoming deadlines. A compliance performance report for the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) is due by June 30, 2025. Failure to submit could place TDA funding on hold and result in financial penalties. The office also awaits balance sheets from the Auditor’s Office to complete applications.

The Court approved the following action items:

• An interlocal jail services agreement with Kerr County as a contingency measure to ensure overflow capacity.

• Addendum #19 with Local Government Solutions for one additional software license.

• The sale of 130 CAD trust properties to Fort Clark Springs Association for $18,000.

• Acceptance of $42,967.71 from the annual tobacco settlement.

• In-kind donations totaling $10,000 for the Little League field from the South Texas Showdown and KC Hunters Roundup.

• Road and Bridge assistance to the City of Spofford to cut overgrown brush on streets previously paved through a county grant, pending a hold-harmless letter from the city.

A representative from the City of Spofford expressed gratitude for the County’s ongoing support and emphasized the importance of continued collaboration. Spofford passed on its turn for the CDBG grant this year in support of Brackettville and is working to maintain volunteer-based operations despite limited revenue.

The Court discussed brush maintenance obligations in Spofford related to past grants. Updates were shared on community amenities, including repairs to the county splash pad and preparations to open the pool on June 5 with part-time staff. Commissioners reviewed upcoming airspace expansion plans from Laughlin Air Force Base. The Court approved previous meeting minutes and bill disbursements, including payroll and Detention Center expenses. The meeting adjourned following the brief Public Facility Corporation (PFC) board session.