Maverick County could face nearly $1 million in new costs starting in 2029, when the 293rd Judicial District is split and the county gets its own district attorney, District Attorney Roberto Serna told the Maverick County Commissioners Court on Wednesday, Oct. 28. Serna said the yearly budget for his office could rise to about $835,000, roughly $400,000 more than the county now spends. He estimated the added obligations, including other costs tied to the split, at about $1 million.
Serna also said his office needs about $225,118 to fill an investigator position and two secretarial positions. He said assistant district attorneys are doing administrative work because of the shortage. He projected a shortfall of about $33,167 for the 2026-2027 budget year, which could force cuts such as training. Serna also questioned whether the split still makes financial sense, and said other affected counties have discussed revisiting it.
Under House Bill 16, passed by the Texas Legislature in its second special session of 2025, the change takes effect Jan. 1, 2029, according to the Texas Government Code. Maverick County voters alone will then elect the 293rd District attorney. Dimmit and Zavala County voters will elect a separate district attorney for the 365th Judicial District.