Nueces County moves to spend remaining $853,728 in emergency rental funds to help residents across city ZIP codes
April 13, 2022 | Nueces County, Texas
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NUECES COUNTY, Texas — Nueces County commissioners voted April 13 to make $853,728 in remaining emergency rental assistance (ERAP) funds available to applicants whose ZIP codes fall inside Corpus Christi, after county staff said the Treasury had approved opening county allocations to city residents.
The judge and JPs urged that the additional funds be used quickly to help landlords and tenants facing eviction, and Natalie, the county’s ERAP administrator, told the court that roughly 400 city applicants were already queued in the portal and the funds would otherwise expire Sept. 30, 2025.
Why it matters: Local judges and justice‑of‑the‑peace offices cited cases in which eviction hearings arrive to the bench with no active portal or staff able to help applicants. Allowing county dollars to serve city ZIP codes could accelerate approvals for tenants and landlords in need, court members said.
What happened: Judge Thelma Rodriguez and other presiding officials described the large backlog in eviction dockets and requested the court’s action. Natalie said the money “comes down from the Treasury” and that county and city applications are distinguished by ZIP code. After discussion, the court recorded a voice vote in favor of taking county funds for those applicants.
Work authorization debate: Item 11 — a work authorization for Hagerty Consulting to provide program administration and maintain the online portal — proved more contentious. Several commissioners expressed concern about contracting for another consultant without fuller legal review; Commissioner Chesney asked whether JPs could continue to refer individual cases without relying on Hagerty. Natalie explained that the online system and proprietary software were built by Hagerty and that, without work authorization, the county would lack the administrative staffing to process applications through the portal.
Outcome and next steps: The court voted to accept the county ERAP allocation for city applicants and to table the Hagerty work authorization to the next meeting (with staff directed to produce clearer backup on the contract, scope and legal issues). Commissioners encouraged staff to provide a narrow, limited work authorization if needed to ensure phones are answered and applicants are not left without access while the broader issues are resolved.
The county plans to return with a clarified work authorization and legal analysis before authorizing an expanded contract, and officials said they would continue coordinating with the city and Hagerty to avoid any lapse in assistance.
The judge and JPs urged that the additional funds be used quickly to help landlords and tenants facing eviction, and Natalie, the county’s ERAP administrator, told the court that roughly 400 city applicants were already queued in the portal and the funds would otherwise expire Sept. 30, 2025.
Why it matters: Local judges and justice‑of‑the‑peace offices cited cases in which eviction hearings arrive to the bench with no active portal or staff able to help applicants. Allowing county dollars to serve city ZIP codes could accelerate approvals for tenants and landlords in need, court members said.
What happened: Judge Thelma Rodriguez and other presiding officials described the large backlog in eviction dockets and requested the court’s action. Natalie said the money “comes down from the Treasury” and that county and city applications are distinguished by ZIP code. After discussion, the court recorded a voice vote in favor of taking county funds for those applicants.
Work authorization debate: Item 11 — a work authorization for Hagerty Consulting to provide program administration and maintain the online portal — proved more contentious. Several commissioners expressed concern about contracting for another consultant without fuller legal review; Commissioner Chesney asked whether JPs could continue to refer individual cases without relying on Hagerty. Natalie explained that the online system and proprietary software were built by Hagerty and that, without work authorization, the county would lack the administrative staffing to process applications through the portal.
Outcome and next steps: The court voted to accept the county ERAP allocation for city applicants and to table the Hagerty work authorization to the next meeting (with staff directed to produce clearer backup on the contract, scope and legal issues). Commissioners encouraged staff to provide a narrow, limited work authorization if needed to ensure phones are answered and applicants are not left without access while the broader issues are resolved.
The county plans to return with a clarified work authorization and legal analysis before authorizing an expanded contract, and officials said they would continue coordinating with the city and Hagerty to avoid any lapse in assistance.
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