NEWS

Commissioners appoint former HPD chief to vacant Precinct 1 Constable position

by Evan Ortega
Anvil Herald Reporter

On Monday, Medina County Commissioners voted to appoint former Hondo and Natalia Police Department Chief Don Berger, as Precinct 1 Constable.

On Tuesday, Berger was officially sworn in by Medina County Judge James Barden, replacing outgoing Constable Joe Ramon who took an offer with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, relinquishing his county post on Feb. 12.

Berger’s appointment will be good until the next general election in November, when the constable position will be decided by voters.

In other court news...

• Commissioners continued to get more aggressive when considering proposed subdivision plats, making sure that surveyors and developers follow existing Medina County subdivision rules.

In the first of two subdivision agenda items, commissioners carefully studied the proposed plans of the Victoria’s Peaceful Acres Subdivision into the Meadow Field Subdivison, thereby down-sizing the tracts from 8 lots to 4 lots, enhancing the size of the lots while not increasing the density. The lot does have an Edward’s Aquifer well pump on it and the owner has already purchased water shares ahead of time, alleviating the concerns commissioners had. They gave approval for the lot changes.

• In the second subdivision agenda item, commissioners reviewed the plans of owners in the Clarence Haby Subdivision near Castroville. The owners of the tract of land were a few acres short of the minimum allowed by Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to put a septic tank on. The owners purchased the needed amount from a relative’s adjacent lot and needed it to be replatted prior to owners building on the property. Commissioners wondered about water issues, but Yancey Water Supply Corporation already supplied water to surrounding properties and commissioners figured that if anyone on the proposed tract needed to, they could pay for a water hook up, and approved the measure.

• One of three HMO providers that the Medina County Senior Nutrition Center is dealing with, Amerigroup, Inc., originally was a non-network provider which meant that it was categorized differently than the other two meal providers that the county currently handled, and it also meant more paperwork and more difficulty in searching reimbursement for meal services from Medicaid and Medicare customers. Commissioners approved an agreement with Amerigroup to become a full network service provider for the county.

• Commissioners reapproved a contract with the Medina County Historical Commission, allowing it to continue receiving access to county funds.

• Commissioners approved the consideration of going out for bids for construction of the Devine County building. They came to the conclusion that the plans developed by the architect were too high and will advertise for bids to see if they can get a lower price for construction.

• Commissioners reapproved a contract for a collection site with Jose and Elena Rodriguez for 6 months and at the price they are currently paying. Commissioners will be searching for a property to purchase to move the collection site to, attributing the move to complaints they have received about the current site.

• Judge Barden and commissioners passed a proclamation for Severe Weather Awareness Week (Feb 21-27) and urged citizens to educate themselves on severe weather precautions and how to avoid the dangers brought by severe weather in the area.

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