Counties in the Big Bend/Marfa Sector, including Brewster, Jeff Davis, and Presidio, have received substantial funding through Operation Lone Star (OLS) and Operation Stonegarden (OPSG), yet concerns about transparency and compliance with public information laws persist.
In FY2022 alone, Brewster County received $926,771, Jeff Davis County was allocated $235,280, and Presidio County received $822,721 under OLS. These funds, part of broader state and federal initiatives, are intended to support law enforcement activities such as personnel overtime, equipment purchases, and operational coordination.
Efforts to obtain records detailing how these funds were spent have been met with resistance. The Texas Public Information Act (TPIA) caps clerical labor fees at $15 per hour after the first free hour, yet Terrell County Sheriff Thaddeus Cleveland demanded $25 per hour for labor costs when responding to a records request—exceeding the legal limit. Cleveland also required prepayment and forms not mandated by law, further complicating access.
Other counties have also been less than forthcoming. Brewster County officials initially redirected records requests to the Governor’s Office. However, just before publication, Sheriff Ronny Dodson responded, indicating that his office is compiling the requested documents. Dodson noted that the response includes a significant number of pages and mentioned that another individual had submitted a similar inquiry. As of now, the documents have not been delivered.
Jeff Davis and Pecos counties have yet to respond to records requests. These delays and inflated costs hinder the transparency required to ensure public funds are being used effectively and appropriately.
OLS and OPSG provide vital resources to rural law enforcement agencies in the Big Bend Sector, but without detailed records, taxpayers cannot assess whether these initiatives are achieving their objectives.
The Big Bend Times remains committed to holding public officials accountable and ensuring compliance with transparency laws. Taxpayers deserve clear answers about how substantial public resources are being allocated and spent.
Image: Brewster County Sheriff and US Border Patrol Trucks near Big Bend National Park
