City & County Politics – The Devine News

Devine council unenthusiastic about suggested change in water/wastewater rate measure

Richard Gibbons with Texas Rebuild makes a presentation to the Devine City Council on a proposed change in the basic measure for water and wastewater rates. (Photo by Anton Riecher)

By Anton Riecher
Response from Devine County Council members seemed largely negative toward a proposal to move from charging for water and wastewater by the gallon, using instead a standardized measure taking peak usage and varying flow rates into consideration.
A presentation by a municipal consulting firm known as Texas Rebuild suggested substituting a living unit equivalent (LUE) as the measure for average water consumption in Devine.
“The number one challenge that I hear from city leadership, councils, city managers, public works, is we have infrastructure challenges in our waters and wastewater system and we don’t have the money to pay for it,” said Texas Rebuild spokesman Richard Gibbons.
City Administrator David Jordan told the council at its Dec. 16 meeting that the consulting firm had been retained by the city to do an analysis of needed improvements to city water infrastructure, including the recent project to rehabilitate the long dormant L.C. Martin water well.
“Other infrastructure in the city is still lacking and needs repair, such as the lift stations,” Jordan said. “We currently have three lift stations that are aged and we need ways to fund those.”
Gibbons said that his…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

Ritchey to resign as Devine alderman

RITCHEY RESIGNS…..Devine District 4 Alderman Josh Ritchey, left, submitted his resignation effective Jan. 31 during the Devine Council meeting Dec. 16. Photo by Anton Riecher.

By Anton Riecher
District 4 Alderman Josh Ritchey announced his intention to resign his council seat in January during the Dec. 16 regular session of the Devine City Council.
“It’s been a profound honor and, at times, a humbling challenge to serve the city,” Ritchey said, reading his letter of resignation aloud.
Ritchey, who has served four years on the council, is moving away from the city, Mayor Butch Cook said.
Still reading from his resignation letter, Ritchey said he “embarked on this journey driven by a genuine desire to serve my community and, indeed, by determination to advance policies that would better reflect our shared values and aspirations for progress, while most importantly, limiting government growth and reducing overreach.”
“We have deliberately and conscientiously moved our city toward a future grounded in equality and a forward looking vision rather than remaining tethered to the constraints of our past,” Ritchey said.
Aside from his formal resignation, Ritchey took time to complement someone who at times stood as his most fierce political adversary on the council – former District 3 Alderwoman Debbie Randall.
“Oddly enough, my greatest appreciation working on this council and learning a lot about politics was working with Debbie Randall,” he said.
“We fought like cats and dogs and disagreed on just about everything, but she really taught me the value of having someone you just cannot see eye-to-eye with, no matter how hard you try, but really appreciating the perspective and the intensity that person brings to the betterment of the community.”
Although Ritchey intended to resign effective Jan. 31, city attorney Tom Cate informed the council that under state law Ritchey would continue to hold the seat until formally replaced by either council action or the next election.
This triggered a lengthy discussion on establishing a policy on temporarily filling vacant council seats until the next election or leaving them vacant while encouraging potential candidates to seek the office. The council elected to leave the seat vacant until the next election.

ESD2 purchases medical, firefighting equipment

ESD2 board secretary Abigail Beadle and board assistant treasurer Jerry Stevens were on hand for the Dec. 17 board meeting. (Photo by Anton Riecher)

By Anton Riecher
Acquisition of new fire equipment and the disposal of outdated or unused items dominated the agenda at the Medina County Emergency Services District No. 2 board of commissioners meeting Dec. 17.
Under the heading of equipment acquired, the board voted to purchase a four-bank air compressor system for rapidly refilling air bottles for self-contained breathing apparatus.
On a motion by board assistant treasurer Jerry Stevens, seconded by treasurer Ken Nighswander, the board unanimously approved the purchase from Arlington-based Morton Morrow for…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

Alexander steps down as East Medina Water superintendent

By Anton Riecher
Retiring East Medina County Special Utility District superintendent Bruce Alexander bid farewell Monday to the Medina County Commissioners Court by introducing his replacements to the court.
“December 31 is my last day and I can’t thank y’all or any of the previous commissioners and judges enough for all the work we’ve done in securing safe, potable drinking water for all the properties in Medina County,” Alexander said.
A licensed water operator for more than 43 years, Alexander is also a past president of the Texas Rural Water Association, a statewide educational and trade association that represents the state’s rural water community. He also serves as the current mayor of Castroville.
Alexander introduced EMCSUD business manager Lauren Evans and field manager Ronnie Lemmons. The EMCSUD board of directors has chosen to dissolve the superintendent position and split the duties between Evans and Lemmons.
As for the future, Alexander said he plans to spend more time with family, friends and as Castroville mayor.
County Judge Keith Lutz said he detected signs of emotion as Alexander addressed the commissioners.
“It doesn’t surprise me because he’s a really, really good guy and has really worked hard for our citizens,” Lutz said.
Bruce Alexander, retiring this month as superintendent of East Medina County Special Utility District, bid farewell to the Medina County Commissioners Court Monday. (Photo by Anton Riecher)

CUTLINE – LEMMONS-EVANS-ALEXANDER
From left, East Medina County Special Utility District field manager Ronnie Lemmons and business manager Lauren Evans joined with retiring superintendent Bruce Alexander who bid farewell to the Medina County Commissioners Court Monday. (Photo by Anton Riecher)

ESD board appointments

By Anton Riecher
Patrick Bourcier, long associated with EMS in Devine, and former Devine City Council member Debbie Randall were named to two-year terms on the Medina County Emergency Services District 4 board of commissioners Monday.
Also, Medina County commissioners reappointed Ken Nighwander, Jerry Stevens and Abigail Beadle to two-year terms on the Devine-based ESD2 (Fire) beginning in January.
Bourcier, a resident of Natalia, serves as district chief with Allegiance Mobile Health which was replaced as the third-party provider for ESD4 (EMS) in October by Castroville-based ESD1. His history in local EMS goes back to the late 1970s when he joined the first ambulance services established in Devine.
Until last year, Randall served as the district 4 representative on the Devine City Council.
Bourcier and Randall replace former board president Anthony Martin, who stepped down in December after serving as board vice president his final year, and Juan Zamora, who stepped down as assistant treasurer earlier this year.
The ESD4 (EMS) replacements were appointed by a 3-0 vote on a motion by Precinct 3 Commissioner David Lynch, seconded by Precinct 1 Commissioner Jessica Castiglioni. Precinct 4 Commissioner Danny Lawler abstained from voting due to an application submitted by a relative.
Brenda Butler, named as a temporary member earlier this year, was reappointed to a full two-year term.
In Castroville-based ESD1, board president Marvin Dziuk and assistant treasurer Leroy Haby were reappointed to new terms. Rodney Hitzfelder, who chose not to apply for a new term, will be replaced by David Foster.

Lytle Feb.13 deadline to file for city office

The City of Lytle holds its election for city council and Mayor on the first Saturday in May of each year. The election for Districts 4, 5, and the mayor are held in even numbered years.
Michael Rodriguez is the Alderman of District 4, and Matthew Martinez is the Alderman of District 5. Ruben Gonzalez is the Mayor. All of these positions expire in May 2026.
Filing period for a place on the ballot starts January 14, 2026 and ends February 13, 2026.

County report shows challenges of sexual assaults under investigation

Assistant criminal district attorney Daphne Previti delivers a biennial report by the Sexual Assault Response Team to the Medina County Commissioners Court Monday. (Photo by Anton Riecher)

By Anton Riecher and Kayleen Holder
Medina County 911 received around 30 calls in 2025 reporting sexual assault, reported Assistant criminal district attorney Daphne Previti to the Medina County Commissioner’s.
“Of those 20, four cases have made it to the district attorney’s office for prosecution, while the others are still pending investigations by local law enforcement offices,” said First Assistant Criminal District Attorney Julie Solis in a short interview after the meeting.
Of the cases that have been presented to the DA’s office, two are being pursued by the Medina County Sheriff’s Office and two by the Hondo Police Department, Previti said.
Assistant criminal district attorney Daphne Previti explained to county commissioners on Monday that the others, “are still in the process of being worked up so none have been presented yet to the (district attorney’s) office for presentation to the grant jury for indictment,” Previti said.
As to the gap between the…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

ESD4 decision pending on construction of Natalia ambulance station

By Anton Riecher
Questions as to whether Natalia residents will accept a prefabricated modular building as the new ambulance station over more traditional construction were still under debate during the Medina County Emergency Services District No. 4 board of commissioners meeting Nov. 25.
Board president Steve Smith noted that representatives of Natalia expressed their opinion quite clearly at a February 2025 meeting shortly after he took charge of the board.
“According to them previously, in February, when we told them we were considering all options, they were not at all happy that we were considering this for their property,” Smith said. “They were not happy that we were even considering putting in a modular building.”
Board treasurer Patrick DuBose noted that double-wide mobile homes are commonly used by San Antonio to house ambulance crews in outlying areas. Regardless of the construction type, Natalia residents would “really be happy to have a station over there.”
With only a three-member quorum present…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

Lytle council approves phase 2 of master drainage plan project

Lytle Mayor Ruben Gonzalez, foreground, and District 3 Alderman David Emery listen to a presentation by the Kimley-Horn engineering firm on the city’s master drainage plan. (Photo by Anton Riecher)

By Anton Riecher
An update on the Lytle master drainage plan project and what is to come in the future was presented to the Lytle City Council Monday by the engineering firm Kimley-Horn.
The primary goal of the project is to analyze the existing floodplain within the city limits and use that information to update the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s flood insurance rate maps used for flood plain management, said Deanna Mikulik, a civil engineer with Kimley-Horn.
The engineering firm will then analyze areas that experience heavy flooding and propose solutions to alleviate those issues, she said.
Phase 1 of the drainage plan project involved the creation of hydrologic models reflecting existing conditions to qualify how much runoff from the regional watershed drains into…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

County reviews subdivision infrastructure agreements

By Anton Riecher
Medina County commissioners took action Monday to update public improvement districts agreements governing infrastructure improvements for various housing subdivisions across the region.
Clay Binford with McCall, Parkhurst and Horton, representing the county as special counsel, took the opportunity to bring the commissioners up to speed on the infrastructure projects involved.
Chapter 312 of the state’s local government code requires that the commissioners “affirm the plan or change the plan that we adopted at the time we put these public improvement districts in place,” Binford said.
A public improvement…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!