The Refugio City Council signed off on an agreement with the county to turn over the town’s animal control services for $23,000 annually. The council stopped short of providing a pickup truck.

The contingency was attached to the deal by commissioners at a court meeting earlier in the day.

“You can’t give what you don’t have,” said Judge Rene Mascorro who attended the meeting to seal the deal.

The council will also turn over the town’s shelter, which recently was renovated, on a year-to-year contract basis, as well as the Chevy Tahoe outfitted for animal control after repairs to a door are made.

“Everything is sound and solid in the vehicle,” Police Chief Chris Brock said. “I know who made the motion for a pickup. You can tell the commissioner he should be glad he’s getting the Tahoe.”

The council also agreed to a proposal to eliminate the school zone at the former middle school and move school zone signs to Swift Street. The move requires changes to local ordinances. Superintendent Bobby Azam and RHS Principal Todd Deavers were on hand to iron out the ordinance changes required to move the signs and school zones. The council also reached an agreement to share the expense of the salary of the school resources officer. Currently the position is held by Officer Dean Ochoa.

Leonard Anzaldua of the Economic Development Board provided a power point presentation on a proposal to construct an RV park on the west side of Heritage Park between the municipal pool and the water tower. Anzaldua said CIAP funds might be available for the project.

Councilman Ron Nelson questioned whether the spaces would be too close to the Boy Scout Hut and Councilman Ruben Garcia suggested the idea would be better suited for county land across the street.

“I’m all for an RV Park being built by (a private person or entity),” Garcia said. “We can’t even keep the RV Park we have full.”

Council member Karen Watts said, “I feel like there are a million questions,” and proposed that a workshop be held at a later date.

The council also decided not to approve closing streets for neighborhood block parties although one block party already scheduled will be grandfathered.

After reconvening into regular session from an executive session, city worker Rene Reyna was given a 50 cent per hour salary increase.