A three-member quorum of the Medina County Commissioners Court voted May 19 to approve the purchase of two bank buildings formerly owned by Community National Bank for $2.1 million and Hondo National Bank for $100,000.
The tentative plans discussed are to move the Medina County Tax Assessor’s office into the old Community National Bank. The other Hondo bank was offered as sort of package deal below appraised value, so the county went ahead and purchased that too, though they are unsure what that second building will be used for.
Commissioner David Lynch said “some ideas have been kicked around” but nothing has been decided on what the second bank building (HNB) will be used for. One avenue being discussed is allowing area non-profits offering services to have offices in that building
On the purchase, County Judge Chris Schuchart stated, “It’s a good deal for us and a good deal for them,”
Texas Heritage Bancshares, Inc., parent company of Hondo National Bank, and Medina Community Bancshares, Inc., parent company of Community National Bank, merged operations in 2021.
The commissioners voted to authorize Schuchart to execute the purchase contract. Schuchart said his only reservation would be to further negotiate the county’s potential liability under the proposed purchase.
Schuhart added that “part of the deal is allowing them (the bank) to use the buildings for 2 years while they are building the new one.”
By Anton Riecher and Kayleen Holder