By JACQI LEYVA-HILL
Special to the NEWS
The Port Isabel–San Benito Navigation District (PISBND) Board of Directors held a comprehensive regular meeting, covering topics ranging from financial matters and charitable donations to equipment purchases and long-term planning.
After establishing a quorum, the board opened with an invocation asking for guidance and wisdom to make sound decisions for the port and the communities it serves, followed by the pledges to the U.S. and Texas flags.
Commissioners then reviewed and discussed the minutes from the November 6, 2025 board meeting. A key point of clarification involved compensation for attending Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) advisory meetings.
Legal counsel explained that commissioners may receive fees for each day they perform official duties, including MPO meetings, up to the statutory annual maximum of $7,200. Once that cap is reached, commissioners must still attend if needed, but no additional compensation can be paid. With that understanding, the board voted to approve the minutes.
Because the district’s CPA, Mr. Rivera, was out of town, the board decided to table both the regular monthly financial report and a related previously tabled item until he could be present to explain and answer questions. The board then moved on to the annual audit engagement and voted to retain Roberto Lopez, CPA, to perform the 2025 annual audit.
Lopez has handled the port’s audits for several years and is considered accurate and reliable. While some members suggested that professional services should be bid out occasionally to keep pricing competitive, they agreed to stay with Lopez this year and consider bidding out proposals in the future.
The board also approved the November bills. Commissioners noted that the volume and total expenses had decreased compared to previous periods and praised staff for improved cost control and maintenance planning.
Next, the board adopted the 2026 investment policy and formally designated Port Director Victor Barrera and Administrative Assistant Julia Barrera as the district’s investment officers in accordance with the Texas Public Funds Investment Act. All investment movements, however, must still be submitted to the commission for approval, ensuring oversight and transparency.
In the area of community support, the board approved a series of charitable donations, emphasizing that each recipient should publicly recognize the district’s contribution in some form, such as newsletters, social media posts, announcements, or photos.
Donations included support for San Benito CISD’s “Shop with a Cop” program, the local food pantry, the Salvation Army, a youth center, and the Catholic Church CCE program. Commissioners expressed pride in helping local families and organizations, especially during challenging economic times.
The board then discussed purchasing a SkyTrak forklift. Several bids had been received, and the port director explained the price ranges and warranty options.
To avoid losing favorable pricing while still respecting budget limits, the board authorized the director to purchase the forklift for an amount between $35,000 and $40,000, not to exceed $40,000.
The board also authorized staff to proceed with a qualifications-based selection process to select a surveying firm to complete a boundary survey for the district, in compliance with state requirements for professional services.
Port Director Barrera presented a detailed report on ongoing projects and recent port visits. He described repairs to district docks, installation of new solar lighting to improve safety at night, cleanup and concrete work at South Point Marina, and efforts to keep older equipment functioning cost-effectively.
He also shared observations from visits to other Texas ports, explaining how their facilities, shrimping and oyster operations, marinas, and industrial infrastructure compare with those of Port Isabel–San Benito. In addition, he reported on discussions with towing and LNG-related companies interested in leasing dock space, while noting that channel depth and dock conditions remain constraints that must be addressed over time.
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