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Hidalgo County
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Commissioner, Precinct 4· 2023-2026

Ellie Torres

Hidalgo County

No biography on file yet.

At a glance

News mentions
1

Term ending Dec 31, 2026.

Voice

Meetings spoken in
3
Total speaking time
0:32
Avg per meeting
0:11
Segments
14

Want every word Torres has said?

The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Torres said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.

Filtered to General

Top issues during term (20)(General)

high↓Apr 2026[18]

Hike-and-Bike Trail Safety

Funded through previously allocated project budgets and grant funding sources.

high↑Oct 2026[12]

city manager search

While the hiring process itself costs little, the chosen city manager will oversee the entire municipal budget and allocation of taxpayer funds.

high↑Oct 2026[10]

data center moratorium

This pause could slow down big tech investments in the area, but it might save everyday residents from footing the bill for pricey utility upgrades.

medium→Oct 2026[9]

law enforcement misconduct

Taxpayers could end up footing the bill for potential lawsuits and legal fees stemming from this officer's alleged misconduct.

critical↓Sep 2026[7]

Sheriff's Deputy Compensation

Impacts county salary structures and retention budgets for law enforcement personnel.

high↑Oct 2026[5]

zoning meeting

Property values in the area could shift depending on what kind of new developments get approved.

high↑Oct 2026[5]

rezoning

Property values in the immediate area could swing up or down depending on what kind of development the rezoning allows.

medium↑Oct 2026[5]

space launch expansion

Boosts regional aerospace tech investments, but could cost local taxpayers extra for emergency services and beach closures during peak tourist season.

medium↑Oct 2026[5]

personnel complaint and resignation

Right now, there's no direct hit to your wallet, but messy internal disputes can sometimes lead to costly legal battles down the road.

high↑Oct 2026[5]

artificial intelligence policy

While no direct costs were announced, setting these rules now could save the city money later by preventing costly tech missteps.

high↑Oct 2026[5]

illegal tire dumping ordinance

It saves the city money on cleanup and mosquito control, which keeps our tax dollars from going to waste.

high↑Oct 2026[5]

charter amendments

While there is no direct price tag mentioned, better transparency rules could mean smarter spending of your tax dollars down the road.

high↓Feb 2026[3]

Elder Abuse Awareness

The program has already recovered $50,000 in 2025.

high↓Apr 2026[3]

Public Street Lighting in Colonia La Joma Trails

The cost of the installation was not specified during the meeting.

medium↓Sep 2026[2]

revitalization plans

While specific price tags weren't dropped, these upgrades usually mean a boost for local businesses and higher property values down the line.

medium↓Jun 2026[2]

agricultural infrastructure

The delay could lead to massive losses for our local ranchers if the screwworm population isn't contained quickly.

medium↓Sep 2026[2]

fraud and government oversight

The county lost over $253,000 of public money on a scam, which means fewer resources for the actual programs that need it.

medium↓Aug 2026[2]

labor market analysis

It's a huge drain on our local economy because prime-age workers aren't earning or spending, which hurts our tax base and overall community wealth.

medium↓Aug 2026[2]

community health initiative

By catching health issues early and avoiding costly ER visits, this program could save taxpayers and the local healthcare system serious money.

high↓Sep 2026[2]

debt issuance

This new debt could lead to higher local taxes or shift funds away from other city services to pay it off.

Moved or seconded (40)

Motions Torres personally put forward or seconded. Attribution comes from the minutes; where the minutes name somebody we cannot match to the roster we leave it out rather than guess, so this is a floor, not a total.

  • movedpassed 3-02026-06-09

    approval on agenda item 14.C.5.

  • movedpassed 3-02026-06-09

    approval on agenda item 14.E.2.

  • secondedpassed 5-02026-05-12

    On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 3, EVERARDO “EVER” VILLARREAL, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 4, ELLIE TORRES, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval on agenda item 17.C.

  • secondedpassed 5-02026-05-12

    On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 3, EVERARDO “EVER” VILLARREAL, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 4, ELLIE TORRES, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval on agenda item 19.B.1.C., w…

  • secondedpassed 5-02026-05-12

    On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 3, EVERARDO “EVER” VILLARREAL, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 4, ELLIE TORRES, the Board made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval on agenda items 8.B.1-6.

  • secondedpassed 5-02026-05-12

    On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 3, EVERARDO “EVER” VILLARREAL, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 4, ELLIE TORRES, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval on agenda item 11.D.

  • secondedpassed 5-02026-05-12

    On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 3, EVERARDO “EVER” VILLARREAL, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 4, ELLIE TORRES , the Board made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval on agenda item 6.I.

  • secondedpassed 5-02026-05-12

    On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 3, EVERARDO “EVER” VILLARREAL, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 4, ELLIE TORRES, the Board made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval on agenda item 10.B., subje…

  • secondedpassed 4-02026-05-12

    On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 3, EVERARDO “EVER” VILLARREAL, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 4, ELLIE TORRES , the Board made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval on agenda item 7.B., s ubj…

  • movedpassed 5-02026-05-12

    On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 4, ELLIE TORRES, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 3, EVERARDO “EVER” VILLARREAL, the Board made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval on agenda item 8.B.8.

  • secondedpassed 5-02026-05-12

    On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 1, DAVID FUENTES, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 4, ELLIE TORRES, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval on agenda items 8.A.1&2.

  • secondedpassed 3-02026-04-28

    Approval and acceptance of Certificate of Substantial Completion and Certificate of Construction Completion from Construx Enterprises pertaining to Construction Contract C-HCDD1-25-013-04-15 Pharr McAllen West. Project Engineer Izaguire Engineering Group PO#650877

    Title matched to the agenda, not quoted from the motion

  • movedpassed 3-02026-04-28

    Ratification of the Hold Harmless, Release, and Indemnity Agreement with the City of McAllen regarding the McAllen Marathon Scott Crane Run and approval for the District General Ma…

  • secondedpassed 5-02026-04-28

    On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 3, EVERARDO “EVER” VILLARREAL, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 4, ELLIE TORRES, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval on agenda item 27.E.

  • secondedpassed 5-02026-04-28

    Judge Cortez adjourned the meeting with a vote of approval at 2:00 P.M.

  • secondedpassed 3-02026-04-28

    Requesting approval of Change Order No. 2, reflecting an increase in the amount of $96,650.00 and 90 additional construction calendar days for the project "La Villa Edcouch Elsa Ph…

  • secondedpassed 3-02026-04-28

    Approval of Application for Payment No. 3 in the amount of $231,625.35 from Gonzalez Engineering pertaining to Construction Contract C-HCDD1-25-029-06-10 Phase 1 Flood Control Segm…

  • secondedpassed 3-02026-04-28

    Requesting approval of closing documents for RDF 1 (Gustafson Farms Venture)... Approval of payment and issuance of a manual check to Jones, Galligan, Key and Lozano for $48,302.00

  • secondedpassed 5-02026-04-28

    On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 3, EVERARDO “EVER” VILLARREAL, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 4, ELLIE TORRES, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval on agenda item 15.E.

  • secondedpassed 5-02026-04-28

    On motion by COMMISSIONER PCT. 3, EVERARDO “EVER” VILLARREAL, seconded by COMMISSIONER PCT. 4, ELLIE TORRES, the Court made a UNANIMOUS vote of approval on agenda item 14.C.2., as …

Decisions during term (25)

Recorded while Torres was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.

approvedOct 13, 2026

Approval of Central Counting Station Personnel for General Election

approved5-0Sep 15, 2026

Approval of Change Orders, Bids, and General Operations Agreements

approved5-0Sep 1, 2026

AI-104522 1. Approval to submit Resolution for Texas General Land Office for the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Program effective March 4, 2025, to March 31, 2028. 2. Approval to authorize the Hidalgo County Judge and Hidalgo County…

approved4-0Sep 1, 2026

Pursuant to Texas Local Government Code 263.153, requesting authority to publish an advertisement for the auction of general merchandise, vehicles, and equipment.

approved5-0Aug 18, 2026

AI-104150 1. Discussion on Election Updates. 2. Discussion, consideration, and authority for the County Judge to order the November 3, 2026 General Election. 3. Discussion, consideration and approval of the November 3, 2026 General…

approved3-0Aug 18, 2026

AI-104191 Requesting approval to award job order contractor, Dynasty General Construction, LLC, through HC's membership with The Interlocal Purchasing System (TIPS JOC Contract# 26010402), for the "Installation of Door Hardware at…

approved3-0Aug 18, 2026

Requesting approval to award contractor Millennial General Contractors LLC for the Veterans Office Housing Repairs Project (F.D), in the total amount of $11,480.00.

approved3-0Aug 18, 2026

Requesting approval to award contractor Millennial General Contractors LLC for the Veterans Office Housing Repairs Project (R.O), in the total amount of $30,325.00.

approved5-0Aug 4, 2026

Requesting approval to award contractor Millennial General Contractors LLC for the Veterans Office Housing Repairs Project (RL), in the total amount of $21,625.00.

approved5-0Aug 4, 2026

Discussion, consideration, and approval to accept the donation of two soccer goals valued at approximately $2,000.00 from Mr. Adrian Olivarez, general manager at Topgolf Pharr.

approved3-0Jun 23, 2026

AI-103803 Approval of Resolution in Recognition and Support of UCLT Hidalgo County Projects LLC, Public-Purpose, Credit-Supported, Non-General Obligation Project Platform, subject to final legal review

approved4-0Jun 9, 2026

Approval of General Consent Agenda

approved5-0Jun 9, 2026

AI-103459 WIC: Approval to reclassify Longevity Pay and related fringes not approved by the grant to the General Fund.

approved4-0May 26, 2026

Authorize General Manager Change Order Authority

approvedVoted yes5-0May 12, 2026

General Consent Agenda Approval

approved5-0May 12, 2026

General Fund Budget Amendment

approved5-0May 12, 2026

AI-103392 1. Approval to designate County Judge Richard Cortez, County Auditor Letty Chavez, and County Treasurer Lita Leo as authorized officials for the Texas General Land Office Depository/Authorized Signatories Designation Form. 2.…

approved5-0May 12, 2026

AI-103256 2025 General Fund & Special Revenue Fund - Leases (Various Departments): 1. Approval of 2025 deobligation of lease revenues and expenditures. 2. Approval of 2025 transfers to fund lease expenditures.

approved3-0Apr 28, 2026

General Fund:

approvedVoted yes5-0Apr 14, 2026

Approval of General Consent Agenda (Excluding Pulled Items)