Maverick County Taxpayers Face Financial Burden Following Auditor’s Decision Not to Seek Grant Reimbursement

Raul Treviño, the Maverick County Auditor, has announced his resignation in a letter addressed to County Judge Ramsey English Cantú and the Commissioners Court. While Treviño’s departure may mark the end of his tenure, the financial implications of his decisions will continue to impact Maverick County taxpayers.

In a detailed letter accompanying his resignation, Treviño outlined several financial challenges the county faces due to disallowed expenses and incomplete compliance with grant regulations. However, his decision not to pursue reimbursement for these funds is poised to cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Auditor Declines to Pursue Reimbursement

According to Treviño’s letter, the county will lose approximately $35,000 from disallowed costs tied to a recent Financial Status Report (FSR). Furthermore, he indicated that revisions to the FSR for Grant Number 4376303 would result in an additional $310,000 being classified as unrecoverable. These funds include $284,347 allocated for the Courts Sound System and $25,000 for the District Attorney’s operations.

Treviño acknowledged that these expenditures were approved in good faith and followed the guidance of project directors. However, rather than addressing these compliance issues and pursuing reimbursement, the auditor has opted to forgo the process, leaving taxpayers to shoulder the burden of these financial losses.

Lack of Documentation Amplifies Losses

A significant portion of the unreimbursed funds stems from inadequate documentation for grant-related personnel expenses. Treviño cited a lack of properly filed “Time Activity Reports,” which are required for compliance with state and federal grant guidelines. Despite raising these concerns in June 2024 and requesting timely submission of the necessary documents, the auditor reported that critical documentation was not provided by key county officials.

This failure to document and submit reports has directly resulted in the county losing approximately $202,554.45 in grant funding for personnel salaries.

Financial Impact on Taxpayers

Treviño’s decision not to seek reimbursement for these grant funds effectively shifts the financial burden to Maverick County taxpayers. The combined loss of $347,554.45 represents a significant strain on the county’s budget, funds that could have been allocated to public services or infrastructure improvements.

The narrative emerging from Treviño’s resignation suggests a broader concern: the role of leadership in safeguarding taxpayer dollars. By declining to pursue these recoverable funds, the county auditor has left Maverick County in a precarious financial position, one that could have been mitigated with a more aggressive approach to compliance and reimbursement.

As Treviño steps away from his role, the Commissioners Court faces the urgent task of addressing these financial setbacks. Strengthening internal controls and ensuring future compliance with grant requirements will be essential to avoid similar issues moving forward. Moreover, new leadership in the auditor’s office must prioritize efforts to recover lost funds and protect taxpayers from bearing unnecessary financial burdens.

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