Order reduces speed on some county roads

By Linda Perkins

Anvil Herald reporter

Medina County Commissioners Court met in regular session Monday, March 9. Although Commissioners Jessica Castiglione, Precinct 1 and Danny Lawler, Pct. 4 were not present, Commissioners Larry Sittre, Pct. 2; David Lynch, Pct. 3, and Medina County Judge Keith Lutz were present and formed a quorum for conducting business (Tex. Loc. Gov’t. Code Section 81.006).

Order to Reduce Speed Limit

Judge Lutz opened a public hearing to allow public comment about reducing the maximum, reasonable and prudent speed limit on 18 County Roads: 5721, 5720, 573, 5731, 5732, 5733, 5734, 5735, 5736, 5737, 5738, 5739, 574, 5740, 5741, 5742, 575 and 576, located within Medina River West Subdivision in Pct. 2, from 60 mph to 30 mph.

These roads, with the exception of several, do not have posted speed limits. As a result, law enforcement cannot issue citations to drivers using excessive speed.

Commissioner Sittre noted CR 5722 will have to be added because it had been left off the list.

Judge Lutz reminded the court that the current agenda had already been set as written. Therefore, an Order to reduce speed on CR 5722 will have to be considered on a future court agenda.

During the public hearing, several residents within or near Medina River West Subdivision described similar issues related to speed and reckless driving on the roads.

Drivers using excessive speed on hilly, curvy roads; disregarding pedestrian traffic by residents who regularly walk along the roadside.

Another said he had been the victim of a hit-and-run driver. While turning left into his driveway, he said another vehicle coming up behind him. The driver then passed the victim’s vehicle on the left, hit the victim’s vehicle and kept going.

After public comments ceased, Judge Lutz closed the hearing, and the court unanimously approved an Order reducing the maximum, reasonable and prudent speed limit from 60 mph to 30 mph on the 18 county roads mentioned.

TAC Award

Medina County Human Resources Director Nathaniel Ramos presented the court with a Texas Association of Counties (TAC) award the Medina County Wellness Committee received at a health boot camp in February 2026.

Clarify Resolution /

Resubmit Application 

Commissioners acknowledged clarification of the “2026 Medina County Resolution Indigent Defense Improvement Grant Program,” approved August 25, 2025. The 2025 approved resolution authorized the submission of an Indigent Defense Improvement Grant from the Texas Indigent Defense Commission (TIDC) for the Hill Country Regional Public Defenders Office.

According to the judge, this clarifies that the approved 2025 resolution is for a supplemental grant application, not for the annual TIDC grant.

In a separate action, the court voted to revise and resubmit the application originally submitted by the Hill Country Regional Public Defenders Office (HCRPDO) in October 2025 to the Texas Indigent Defense Commission (TIDC) for a One-Time Temporary Assistance Grant for the HCRPDO. Judge Lutz noted that when they get acceptance for TIDC, it will be brought back before the court.

Treasurer’s Report

The court approved Treasurer Debra Graff’s report of Accounts Payable totaling $480,333.50; and in a separate action approve the Disbursement of Funds for utilities, fuel and dental claims amounting to $43,083.86.

The court also accepted the County Treasurer’s Monthly Report for January 2026, showing a Cash Balance of $36,783,092.93 and Total Debt of $22,945,000.

Subdivisions

The court approved a final plat establishing Legacy Hills Subdivision, Unit 2A, located in Pct. 1 on CR 371.

Other Business

In other business before the court, commissioners: accepted the Annual Financial Report from Medina County Emergency Services District No. 2 (ESD #2) for the Year Ended Sept. 30, 2025.

The next commissioners court will be conducted at 9 a.m. Monday, March 23 in the County Courthouse Annex, 1300 Ave. M, Room 250.