Karnes County’s Commissioners Court voted to approve a contract renewal with Atascosa Youth Service Center for juvenile detention services.

The center houses juveniles who are detained as a result of being charged with juvenile crimes.

The new contract remains at the $85 per day rate the county has been paying for juvenile detention.

The Court also approved a resolution authorizing the application for JABG grant funds related to addressing local juvenile crime issues.

"Why is there such an increase in these cases?" County Commissioner Isidro "Stormy" Rossett asked during a discussion about the recent increase in juvenile crime.

"I don’t feel money will help enough," County Judge Alger Kendall, Jr. said. "This isn’t getting to the root of the problem."

Large numbers of traffic and non-traffic violations were reported from Precinct 1 during the month of April compared to the other three precincts. Precinct one reported a total of 209, Precinct 2 reported 37, Precinct 3 reported 102 and Precinct 4 reported 53.

The Court approved to change the designation of Spur State Highway 792 to a new name of County Road 351. State and federal guidelines will require every county to have a special map made out of paper that is stain resistant, age resistant and very durable. In order for roads to continue to exist as county roads, they all must be included on the new map. County officials said that the public will be invited in the future to give their opinion on this issue.

Architect Lewis Fisher reported a revised estimate to repairs on the Agriculture Building.

Fisher said water damage to the building will mean that an additional $50,000 to $100,000 will need to be added to the existing $322,000 estimate of repair costs.

Judge Kendall said it may be less expensive to bulldoze the building and build a new one.

Karnes County Public Safety Telecommunicators were recognized at the meeting. Commissioners Court expressed its appreciation to local 911 operators and dispatchers Patrick Alvarez, Dustin Aranda, Michelle Elizando, Joe Fuentes, Lauren Garza, Terry Paul Johnson, Stacy Martin, Audelia Camacho and Sarina Mendoza.