Wilson County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Wilson County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Precinct 1 constable vacancy
The elected constable for Precinct 1 resigned, and the court declared the seat vacant. A replacement process now begins, affecting who provides constable services and process serving in the precinct.
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.
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permitting software for $38,000 a year — a tool the development office asked for during budget workshops to replace outdated paper processes.
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.
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.
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.
Atascosa County billing arrangement questioned
Commissioners learned Atascosa County bills Wilson County in bulk for shared services like indigent defense, meaning Wilson County loses interest on its money — and nobody can find the original agreement.
Courthouse safety upgrades
The court approved leasing AEDs for the courthouse and district courthouse and bullet-resistant window film for JP 1 and 4 — funded carefully because courthouse security funds are restricted.
Rural Ambulance Grant Program (H.B. 3000)
STCEMS wants the county's required letter of approval to apply for a state EMS license for non-emergency medical transfers. ESD 3's chief warned that private competition for hospital transfers could cut ESD revenue and raise taxpayer burden; the court approved anyway.
Statewide push for county road gas tax funding
Commissioners returned from the statewide conference behind a legislative proposal to raise the 1954-era motor fuel tax allocation, which could bring Wilson County more road money.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.