By JACQI LEYVA-HILL
Special to the NEWS
The Port Isabel–San Benito Navigation District Board of Commissioners met Monday, December 15, 2025, at the district offices on Industrial Drive, opening with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. No members of the public signed up to speak during public comment.
Commissioners first approved minutes from the prior regular board meeting (dated November 2025 in the meeting packet), after briefly discussing distribution of the printed minutes and allowing time for review.
The board then approved the proposed 2026 budget, with the executive director highlighting several key year-to-year changes. Most notably, the district is not planning to hold an election in 2026, eliminating a budgeted election expense that had been approximately $85,000 the prior year. The director also noted shifts in line items tied to district operations, including engineering costs connected to survey-related work and salary figures that now reflect updated staffing compared with the previous year’s staffing levels. Commissioners also discussed communications and internet service costs, with Commissioner Morales recommending to review alternative providers at the next renewal cycle and the Administrative Assistant Julia Barrera agreed.
Under additional business, commissioners authorized the purchase of uniforms and outerwear for district employees and the harbormaster/director, reviewing sample jacket options and discussing practicality for field staff. Secretary Commissioner Woods emphasized that maintenance personnel who work around vehicles and equipment should be issued high-visibility safety outerwear to support proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and on-site visibility.
The board also approved payment of routine bills and reviewed several community contributions reflected in the bills list, including donations to the Laguna Madre Youth Center, the Salvation Army in Port Isabel, the Laguna Vista Police Department, San Benito CISD, and the San Benito Food Pantry. Building-related expenses included repairs and repainting intended to address long-standing exterior issues and improve durability.
A major action item followed in connection with tenant leases. District counsel addressed tenants with a firm cleanup directive tied to one-year lease renewals effective January 1–December 31, 2026. The district will provide dumpsters for 90 days for normal waste and trash, but tenants remain responsible for disposing of heavy equipment, scrap, and large maritime components. All leased land areas must be cleared of debris by April 1, 2026, with noncompliance subject to notice and possible termination. Looking ahead, the district also announced plans to implement seaworthiness requirements beginning January 1, 2027, requiring vessels to be operational and not pose environmental or safety risks.
During the meeting, Port Director Barrera’s report provided operational updates, including ongoing dock and facility maintenance, brush and weed removal that had not been addressed in several years, and efforts to secure surveying services to clarify district property boundaries. He also discussed lease issues involving unpaid rent and inactive tenants, interest from companies seeking dock space, and concerns about building vibrations during nearby SpaceX activity that could affect long-term structural integrity.
The board approved its 2026 meeting calendar and set the next regular meeting for January 8, 2026, at 5:30 p.m.
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