Category: City & County Politics

Information you need to know about the City of Devine, Medina County Commissioner’s Court, City of Natalia, City of Lytle, and our local Emergency Service Districts.

ELECTION NEWS

Devine ISD has two seats up, Feb. 13 deadline to sign up

District 3 held by Henry Moreno and District 4 held by Nancy Pepper are up for election.  The deadline to file application for place on the ballot is 5:00 p.m. on February 13, 2026.
As of Tuesday, January 20, Nancy Pepper has signed up for re-election. You must reside in those districts to file or vote.

City of Devine

The 2026 General Election for the City of Devine will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
Seats that will be on the ballot include those held by Ray Gonzales ( District 1 councilman), Jeff Miller (District 3 councilman), and Josh Ritchey (District 4 councilman–who recently resigned). These positions expire in May 2026. The filing period to be placed on the ballot starts January 14, 2026 and ends February 13, 2026.

City of Lytle

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.

$4.2 M for Medina County Law Enforcement Radio Upgrades

Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed all remaining annual funding bills, keeping the federal government fully operational through the remainder of Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26). Through his seat on the House Appropriations Committee, Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) secured over $42 million in direct funding for communities across South and West Texas.
$4.2 M for Medina County law enforcement radio upgrades is one of the community investments secured by Congressman Gonzales.
“There are several major highways and two major rail lines that run through Medina County—as a result, the county has seen an increase in calls to help assist other agencies with border crisis issues. Further, there are schools along the county line, making communication between surrounding agencies imperative to ensure a quick response time to emergencies at those schools. This project would upgrade the communications system to improve interoperability throughout the county,” a representative with Gonzales’ office added.

New fire protection management conducts emergency pre-planning at 31 Devine businesses

Medina County Emergency Services District No. 2 board of commissioners president Todd Summers, left, presides during the board’s Jan. 20 meeting with board vice president Jeff Howard seen at right. (Photo by Anton Riecher)

By Anton Riecher
Since assuming management responsibility for Medina County Emergency Services District No. 2 in October, Castroville-based ESD1 has visited 31 businesses in Devine to establish pre-fire planning for any local emergencies, ESD1 battalion chief David Powers reported during the Jan. 20 ESD2 board meeting.
“We got out with the public, visiting to see where everybody is at,” Powers said.
A fire pre-plan is a detailed mapping of a building’s layout, fire protection systems and special hazards to assist emergency responders with rapid, safe and effective decision making upon arrival.
For example, Powers noted that it was determined that an interior hydrant at one major retailer was not providing adequate pressure for fire protection. The emergency pre-plan directs firefighters to another hydrant instead.
Under the heading…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!

3 City of Devine seats up for election soon

The 2026 General Election for the City of Devine will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
Seats that will be on the ballot include those held by Ray Gonzales ( District 1 councilman), Jeff Miller (District 3 councilman), and Josh Ritchey (District 4 councilman–who recently resigned). These positions expire in May 2026. The filing period to be placed on the ballot starts January 14, 2026 and ends February 13, 2026.

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.