Wilson County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Wilson County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Purchasing and Debarment policy revisions
Commissioner Gary Martin was to bring revisions to the county's Purchasing and Debarment Policies and Procedures, which govern how the county buys goods and services and which vendors it can do business with.
Public Information Act administration
A resident told the court the proposed subdivision regulation changes weren't posted online before the hearing, leaving the public unable to give informed comment. The court agreed to ask staff to link proposed changes to future agendas.
Collection facility building materials policy
Contractors were dumping big construction loads at the county collection facility, crowding out residents and pushing costs up. Commissioners temporarily banned contract building materials and plan to revisit fees with Republic Services.
Operation Lone Star grant acceptance
The sheriff's office landed a fully funded $381,542 federal/state grant — no county match — supporting border-related operations.
Permitting software modernization
The county is buying GovPilot permitting software for $38,000 a year — a tool the development office asked for during budget workshops to replace outdated paper processes.
Construction site dust, burns and drainage complaints
Two longtime residents near a large construction site called the Ravine described silica dust, an unattended burn pile, and drainage work they fear will flood their homes. The constable said dust control falls under TCEQ jurisdiction and the fire marshal handles burn complaints.
Lake Valley Estates re-plat and plat revision
The county held a public hearing and adopted revised subdivision regulations to better manage local growth and development standards.
Precinct 1 constable vacancy
With the constable suspended, commissioners debated how to fill the seat — post applications, interview in open court, or consult the sheriff first. The judge agreed to bring the statute to executive session next meeting.
Sheriff–County Attorney equipment MOU
A new MOU lets the county attorney's investigator borrow weapons, range access and other equipment the sheriff already owns instead of the county buying duplicates to meet state licensing rules.
Utility Rate Increase
Your water and sewer bills are getting a hike starting August 10th to pay for long-overdue repairs to our city's aging pipes. The city claims this is the only way to fix the system and finally unlock state grant money.
County Employee Health Insurance Premium Increase
The county's health plan ran a 134% loss ratio, forcing a 12% premium hike and a higher deductible. Officials warned employees may face premium contributions if trends continue.
SARA Hazardous Waste Collection Event
The county is working with the San Antonio River Authority on an interlocal agreement for a fall hazardous waste collection event, targeting a date between October 3 and 24.
2026 Tax Rate Calculation Designation
Tax Assessor-Collector Dawn Polasek Barnett will calculate the no-new-revenue and voter-approval tax rates for 2026 — the first step in this year's property tax process.
Emergency Services District Audits
ESD #2 filed a clean 2025 audit, ESD 4 is on track, but the judge warned that ESDs missing the audit deadline can have their board president and treasurer removed from office.
Precinct #1 Creekwood Project Bids
About half the streets in the Creekwood subdivision — built 38 years ago with minimal base — will be rebuilt with stabilization and a new surface treatment. The court authorized going out for construction bids, paid from Precinct 1 funds.
Sheriff's Office Overtime & Surplus Property
Five salaried sheriff's office supervisors can now earn overtime — but only from grant funds like Operation Lone Star and 287(g), never county money. Guidelines and employee acknowledgments are being drafted.
Appraisal District building purchase and entity transparency
The Wilson County Appraisal District wants taxing entities to fund a $2.6 million building purchase with almost no advance notice — and under state law, not voting counts as a yes. The county's share is about $83,241, and commissioners are calling a special meeting before the June 8 deadline to formally respond.
Property insurance renewal errors
The county's $168,636 annual property insurance renewal listed buildings that don't exist and missed equipment commissioners actually own. The court tabled it until the asset list is cleaned up, which could affect premiums.
Tax Office fiber network upgrade
Residents keep complaining that Spectrum leaves messes after utility work; commissioners say the company needs to be a partner and clean up after itself.
Possible second data center
Commissioner Akin said research suggests another data center may be coming to Wilson County and wants the EDC briefing the court directly, since commissioners face the public on these projects.
Historic Courthouse Preservation Grant
The county is asking the state for up to roughly $750,000 to fix the courthouse's porticos, doors and water-damaged wing walls. The court signed the resolution the state needs to consider the application, and will seek real cost numbers through an RFP next.
Election Administration
Heads up: Wilson County's primary runoff is May 26, and early voting is already happening. Make sure to double-check your polling place online before you leave, because some locations have shifted since the last election.
Election Information
Election season is officially here, and you need to know who's on the ballot before early voting starts on May 18. Check out the Wilson County News candidates' forum to get the lowdown on where everyone stands so you can vote with confidence.
Mental Health Awareness in Wilson County
The county formally proclaimed May 2026 as Mental Health Awareness Month, spotlighting barriers rural residents face — transportation, few providers, isolation — and honoring local mental health workers and veterans' services.
Closure of abandoned road in Precinct 4
A platted-but-never-built road in the Pandora area, abandoned for over 20 years, will be formally closed so the adjoining landowner can use the land. Commissioner Akin abstained because the petitioner is his brother-in-law.
Community Action Month and CCSCT services
The county recognized CCSCT, which since 1965 has helped low-income families with housing assistance, energy support and case management across 31 counties including Wilson.
Second annual Book Festival with food trucks
The library's Book Festival has grown from a hoped-for 10 authors to 65, and the county approved letting food trucks park on county property June 5-6 to keep festival-goers fed and on site.
Permit fee updates
Permit application fees were updated, most notably a new $750 drainage review fee to cover third-party engineering, plus standardized septic system fees and a newly posted $500 commercial fee.
County-wide Pest Services Agreement
The county approved a new pest control contract covering all major county buildings, museums, and offices to keep facilities pest-free.
PIPROW Regulations Revision
Commissioner King brought forward proposed revisions to the county's Private Improvement within Public Right of Way regulations, which govern what residents and contractors can build in county road rights-of-way.
Burn Ban Expiration Consideration
The court was scheduled to consider whether to let the county's burn ban expire. That decision affects whether residents can do outdoor burning during dry conditions.
HAVA Election Security Grant Acceptance
The court was scheduled to consider accepting a $42,500 Help America Vote Act election security grant, which requires the county to put up an $8,500 cash match from its Elections 10% Fund. This money would go toward securing county elections.
Municipal Leadership
Floresville's mayor is making headlines again, which means it's time to pay attention to how our local leadership is handling city business. Keep an eye on this to see if the current administration is actually moving the needle for our community.
Veterans services performance
The Veterans Service Officer reported serving 286 veterans this quarter, spending $70,600 of a $132,000 grant, and delivering a $1.38 million return on investment; the grant renewal decision comes in May.
Expo Arena Structural Repairs
SpawGlass apologized for the March 4 collapse, confirmed the damaged metal building will be fully rebuilt with a new contractor, and committed to finishing by the end of 2026. The Judge has alerted federal funders to protect the grant money if timing slips.
FELPS building negotiations
The county voted to enter negotiations with the City of Floresville and FEDC over the FELPS building on South Highway 181, after discussing it in closed session.
287(g) ICE Task Force Agreement and SB 8 Grant
The court adopted the resolution Sheriff Jim Stewart needs to apply for the new state grant covering costs of a federal immigration-enforcement agreement. The law bars the county from cutting the sheriff's budget because of the grant.
Clear Fork Creek Solar Road Agreements
The county approved road closures and surface improvement agreements with Clear Fork Creek Solar LLC for County Road 482. The developer will reimburse the county up to $46,355 for road materials while Precinct 4 provides labor and equipment.
Revised Wilson County Subdivision Regulations
The court was asked to set a 10:00 a.m. public hearing on April 13, 2026 for the Wilson County Subdivision Regulations — the rules governing how new developments are built.
Phase 1 Forensic Audit
Commissioners Martin and King placed an item on the agenda to conduct and fund a Phase 1 forensic audit of complete county financials for fiscal years 2022-2023 to present. The recording does not clearly show the outcome of that discussion.
Countywide Audit Resolution
Commissioners approved a resolution to conduct a comprehensive countywide financial audit pursuant to Texas Local Government Code Section 115.031 following legal consultations in executive session.
Tax Abatement Policy Revision
The county's tax abatement policy — the rules for giving companies property tax breaks — expired on a two-year cycle and needed re-adoption. Residents used the hearing to press for shorter abatement terms, transparency about who owns the benefiting companies, and limits on foreign investment. The court adopted the revised policy, which fixes typos and extends coverage to proposed investment zones.
Water Resource Management
Residents are worried that massive data center and power generation projects could draw millions of gallons a day from the aquifers that every household and farm in Wilson County depends on. They want the county to require water-impact studies, fire capacity reviews and cost-benefit analysis before any tax breaks are handed out. Commissioners say state law limits what the county can do, but promised to keep engaging with the community.
Jail Commissary Audit
The court was scheduled to take up the Wilson County Jail Commissary Audit — a check on how commissary funds at the jail are accounted for.
Health and Safety Department reorganization
Precinct 2 Commissioner Russell King proposed placing the Health and Safety Department under the Fire Marshal's supervision, effective the day of the meeting. This reshapes who oversees the department and its day-to-day priorities.
Violent Crimes Against Women Act grant (2026-2027)
The court was scheduled to consider a resolution supporting the 2026-2027 VAWA grant, Grant Number 3015411, which funds services for victims of violent crimes against women.
Rural Ambulance Grant Program (H.B. 3000)
An information-only discussion of the Rural Ambulance Grant Program under House Bill 3000 — relevant to rural residents who depend on ambulance coverage.
Wastewater Infrastructure
Wilson County residents are fighting a proposed wastewater plant, citing environmental concerns. This standoff is creating a major bottleneck for the county's ability to handle growth and modernize its aging infrastructure.
Public Corruption
A Wilson County commissioner and the county auditor are facing indictments for shady equipment deals. It’s a major red flag that your tax money might be lining pockets instead of funding actual county services.
Local Election
The race for Floresville City Council Place 4 is officially heating up. This seat is a big deal because whoever wins will have a direct say in your local tax rates and the quality of city services you use every day.