The Hidalgo County Commissioners Court on Tuesday morning is scheduled to discuss a resolution supporting legislation to create two new district courts here.
During a March 11 meeting of the county’s Board of Judges, local Administrative Judge Noe Gonzalez provided an update regarding the ongoing effort for the creation of the two new district courts.
Gonzalez said the new courts are necessary based on information provided by the Office of Court Administration that says Hidalgo County is 2.8 district courts short to meet the needs of the area.
The cost to create the courts sits at $750,000, but Gonzalez said the investment will save the county $250,000.
“My take on that is if we’re telling them, ‘Look, if you create two new courts, I can guarantee at least 50 people will be facilitated out of county jail.’ Fifty people translates to $1 million and it will cost $750,000 for two new courts,” Gonzalez said.
The administrative judge said commissioners were receptive when he spoke with them, but they also seemed to be concerned about cost.
“They were receptive but they are talking about the money. If we save you a million and you give us $750,000, that’s saving money,” Gonzalez said.
Commissioners court will meet at 10 a.m.
