By JACQI LEYVA-HILL
Special to the PRESS
On Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, the Port Isabel–San Benito Navigation District held a special Pilot Board meeting followed by a regular Board of Commissioners meeting at the district administrative offices on Industrial Drive in Port Isabel.
The Pilot Board meeting opened with roll call, an invocation, and the pledges. The Pilot Board oversees matters related to harbor pilots, including licensing and renewals. Harbor pilots are responsible for guiding large commercial vessels safely into and out of port waters. Public Comments were offered, but no one spoke. Commissioners approved minutes from a prior special meeting and then considered renewal of a pilot license for Capt. Jonathan P. Willette. Willette introduced himself for the record, saying he began pilot training in 2007 and has served as a full pilot for 18 years. He added that the current renewal would be his fifth commission and would bring him to 20 years of service. District staff confirmed his qualifications were in order, and the Pilot Board voted unanimously to approve the renewal before adjourning.
The regular board meeting continued with approval of minutes from the Dec. 15, 2025 meeting. Commissioners then reviewed tabled financial business, including the monthly financial report presented by Juan Rivera, CPA. Rivera reported net income of $69,008.57 at the end of October and total monthly expenses of $49,440.78. A commissioner asked how many costs were newly added beyond recurring expenses such as salaries. Rivera said he could revise the report format to make month-to-month comparisons clearer and better show changes. The board approved the report.
Commissioners also reviewed and approved the quarterly investment report. Rivera explained the investment review is required because the funds are public. He described district balances and interest earnings through TexPool and reported total district cash and investments at approximately $4.18 million. TexPool is a Texas local-government investment pool used to safely invest public funds and generate interest earnings.
During approval of bills, Port Director Victor Barrera highlighted a maintenance item involving industrial door repairs at the boat barn building. He said the repair addressed broken cables and noted the district was fortunate the problem was caught before the door could fall. Barrera said a vendor returned later to correct a switch issue and made additional adjustments, and he reported that everything was operating properly. He added that remaining expenses were standard bills such as electricity, payroll, insurance, and retirement solutions. When asked about a line item labeled “transfer,” staff explained it reflected routine movement of funds from maintenance and operations to payroll.
The agenda included discussion of a proposed lease amendment with PILOT, presented by Scott Brown of Pilots Terminal. Commissioners raised concerns regarding cement and crushed rock trucking operations, including traffic and safety impacts. Commissioner Morales emphasized protecting the district’s newly improved roads and requested confirmation of weight restrictions and safeguards such as weighing trucks to prevent overweight loads from damaging the asphalt. Brown urged the board not to delay action, noting the maritime industry often operates quickly and stating that customers were already moving forward, with a vessel ready to depart Europe. Commissioner Secretary Duvie Woods agreed the matter should move quickly so as to not lose the business, but Morales and other members stressed the importance of verifying specifications to preserve the district’s road investment and avoid overweight traffic.
In his Port Director’s Report, Barrera also gave an update on channel depth and turning basin conditions, indicating reviewed areas ranged from about 32 feet at the edges to 36 feet in the center and said conditions should remain stable for the next year or so. The board acknowledged the report and confirmed the next regular meeting would be held Jan. 22, 2026, at 5:30 p.m., with discussion about scheduling a workshop at the next meeting.
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