Adam La Rosa

The Choice Every Rural County Faces

Rural counties across Texas face the same challenge: deteriorating infrastructure, rising costs, young people leaving for jobs elsewhere. There are two paths forward:

React: Wait until population growth forces expensive infrastructure upgrades. Pay 10x more when construction is urgent. Attract whatever development comes, losing control over county character.

Lead: Build strategic infrastructure now while costs are manageable. Attract quality industries on OUR terms. Control growth instead of being controlled by it.

The Immediate Threat: Privatization

This isn't theoretical. The current County Judge tried to sell our water independence to Seven Seas—a private corporation—and they tried to hide the parameters behind an NDA. Our community showed up and said no. I'm running to ensure no one forgets that lesson.

Why Water Is Economic Destiny

Every successful economy was built on water control. Austin, San Antonio, Houston built population first, scrambled for infrastructure later. Residents paid billions. Rural character disappeared.

We have what they didn't: the chance to build infrastructure BEFORE growth forces our hand. Industries locate where water infrastructure exists. Property values follow jobs. Tax base expands or stagnates based on whether counties can support manufacturing.

The Corpus Christi Dependency Crisis

Right now, we're vulnerable. Corpus Christi enacted its strictest water restrictions in 30 years. Reservoir levels fell below 20%. The last available water from the Nueces River was purchased by a New Jersey company to produce hydrogen for export.

Their water crisis is our economic crisis. We can't attract industries if we can't guarantee water supply. Building county-owned water infrastructure NOW—while we control the timeline and costs are manageable—is cheaper than waiting until crisis forces emergency measures at 10x the price.

The Two-Tier Water System: Our Competitive Advantage

Start with the cleanest possible source. Seawater desalination produces water with almost no dissolved minerals—essentially a blank slate.

For residential users: Add minimal minerals for safe, great-tasting water. Your home filters last longer because there's less to filter out.

For industrial users: Add even less—just enough to prevent pipe corrosion. This creates industrial-grade feedwater that industries can easily polish to manufacturing standards. Most municipal water requires extensive on-site treatment. Our low-mineral water saves industries millions in treatment costs.

This is the key that unlocks everything else. Industries pay premium rates for water that's already 90% ready for manufacturing. Those premium rates subsidize your residential water costs.

Why These Industries Are Coming to Texas NOW

Federal policy is driving semiconductor growth. The CHIPS and Science Act (Public Law 117-167) prioritizes domestic semiconductor production for national security.

Pharmaceutical manufacturing is also expanding in Texas. Executive Order 14293 directs federal agencies to streamline permitting and eliminate regulatory barriers for domestic pharmaceutical production, addressing supply chain vulnerabilities exposed by COVID-19.

Texas is positioned to win. The state has workforce programs, the Texas Enterprise Fund for recruitment (Texas Government Code §481.078), and proximity to the Port of Corpus Christi for international logistics. What's missing in most rural counties? Industrial-grade water infrastructure.

When site selection consultants filter Texas counties by "water infrastructure capable of supporting advanced manufacturing," most rural counties disappear from the list. Kleberg County will be on that list.

High-value industries are fleeing expensive metros. They want quality of life for employees, lower operating costs, and room to grow—but they need infrastructure that works. Kleberg County can offer both: rural character with world-class infrastructure.

Target Industries

• Semiconductor and electronics manufacturing: Requires ultra-pure water for chip fabrication. Our low-mineral feedwater reduces their treatment costs dramatically.
• Pharmaceutical manufacturing: Needs purified water meeting USP standards. Post-COVID supply chain security makes domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing a federal priority.
• Data centers: Require massive amounts of high-purity water for cooling systems. Texas is a national hub for AI, cloud computing, and cryptocurrency mining.
• Medical device manufacturing: Needs ultra-pure water for sterilization. High profit margins create a strong tax base.
• Premium food and beverage processing: Craft beverages, specialty foods, value-added agricultural products create synergy with local agriculture.

The Circular Economic Benefit

Fire Hydrants = Lower Insurance Costs

Strategic water infrastructure means fire hydrant expansion. Insurance companies use ISO ratings to set premiums. Water supply and hydrant access account for 40% of your community's ISO score. No hydrant within 1,000 feet of your property = worse ISO rating = higher insurance costs. You're paying MORE every year because the county hasn't invested in water infrastructure.

Under Texas Local Government Code §552.012 and Texas Water Code §552.013, counties have authority to install and maintain fire hydrants as part of waterworks systems. My commitment: systematic survey of existing hydrants, strategic placement plan for underserved areas, regular maintenance and testing. Improve ISO ratings countywide to lower your insurance costs.

Grant Funding: The Window Is Open NOW

Substantial federal and state funding exists for this infrastructure. The current County Judge—three terms in office—hasn't pursued these resources.

This window won't stay open forever. Federal priorities shift. State budgets change. The time to build is now, while grant funding is available.

Federal Water Infrastructure Grants:

• USDA Rural Development - Water & Waste Disposal Loans & Grants (7 U.S.C. §1926)
• EPA Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act - WIFIA (33 U.S.C. §3901 et seq.)
• Bureau of Reclamation - Desalination and Water Purification Research Program (42 U.S.C. §10301 note)
• EPA Drinking Water State Revolving Fund - DWSRF (42 U.S.C. §300j-12)

Economic Development Grants:

• Economic Development Administration - EDA Public Works Grants (42 U.S.C. §3141 et seq.)
• USDA Rural Business Development Grants (7 U.S.C. §1932)

Waste-to-Energy Revenue Generation Grants:

• USDA Rural Energy for America Program - REAP (7 U.S.C. §8107)
• DOE Bioenergy Technologies Office Grants (42 U.S.C. §16232)

State-Level Funding:

• Texas Water Development Board - Economically Distressed Areas Program (Texas Water Code §17.921)
• Texas Governor's Office - Texas Enterprise Fund (Texas Government Code §481.078)

Healthcare Infrastructure Funding:

• HRSA Federal Office of Rural Health Policy Grants (42 U.S.C. §254b)

Infrastructure Implementation & Authority

Under Texas Local Government Code Chapter 552, counties can operate water systems. We can acquire existing systems through voluntary sale or build county infrastructure from scratch under §552.0015. We leverage our Gulf Coast location for seawater desalination. County-owned facilities will meet or exceed treatment standards under 30 TAC Chapter 295. Revenue bonds under Texas Local Government Code Chapter 1371, repaid through water sales.

County coordination with water service providers under Texas Water Code Chapter 49. Partner with TCEQ to exceed 30 TAC Chapter 290 treatment standards. Under Texas Health & Safety Code §366.012, counties can provide sanitary sewer service in unincorporated areas, prioritizing flood-prone areas where septic systems create groundwater contamination risk.

Public Ownership: The Seven Seas Fight

I stood in commissioners court with my neighbors when Seven Seas presented their privatization proposal. We showed them - and the commissioners - that Kleberg County's water independence wasn't up for sale.

If we'd lost that fight, our entire economic development strategy would be impossible. Private corporations don't build two-tier water systems to attract semiconductor fabs—they provide minimum quality at maximum price. County ownership means you control your economic destiny. If water quality or pricing problems emerge, vote out the commissioners court. Try doing that with a private utility's board of directors.

Public water quality reports published monthly online. Independent third-party testing verified and published. Citizens advisory board with residential and commercial representation. Open financial reporting - every dollar in, every dollar out. County ordinance establishing water quality standards and testing protocols. Failure to meet standards triggers automatic remediation plan with public reporting. Public meetings required before any rate adjustments. No surprise bills. No hidden fees.

Environmental Stewardship

Under Texas Water Code §5.013, TCEQ has jurisdiction over state water quality—all county water infrastructure projects will exceed minimum state environmental standards. Zero discharge into Baffin Bay. Desalination brine will be recycled through sea salt and mineral extraction and advanced treatment. We protect the bay because county ownership means county values determine environmental standards. Texas Parks & Wildlife Code §12.0015 encourages consultation on projects affecting wildlife habitat—we'll proactively coordinate before any coastal development.

The Commissioners Court already has the power to dramatically reduce your county property taxes using existing Texas law. For decades, they've chosen not to.

When COVID hit and families were struggling, the Commissioners Court could have acted to freeze property tax increases. They didn't.

Under Texas Tax Code §11.13(b), the Commissioners Court can exempt up to 20% of your home's appraised value. Under §11.13(b)(1), rural homesteads can be protected for up to 200 acres outside city limits. Under §11.13(c) and §11.13(d), they can provide even greater exemptions for disabled and elderly residents.

I am committed to using the full extent of this statutory authority to substantially reduce the county's portion of property taxes on primary residences.

As property values rise, we increase exemptions proportionally under §26.05 authority—effectively freezing the county's revenue from residential property taxes. We grow revenue through commercial and retail development, not taxation of homeowners.

Property taxes are lazy legislating. If our leaders can't embrace economic growth that benefits residents, who do they really represent?

Your Protection

Under Texas Tax Code §26.04 and §26.05, the county cannot increase property tax revenue by more than 3.5% annually without automatic voter approval (Senate Bill 2, 2019). Even after I leave office, voters control whether taxes go back up.

Revenue Replacement Strategy

Phase 1: Freeze county revenue from residential property taxes at current levels while providing relief to homeowners.

Phase 2: County-owned commercial development strategy (detailed in Water Infrastructure section).

Appraisal District Accountability

I've fought the appraisal district and won. The Kleberg County Appraisal District illegally subdivided my property. I cited the tax code they violated. They ignored me. I kept fighting. I won.

Under Texas Tax Code §6.03, the County Judge nominates appraisal district board members. If they're illegally subdividing properties or playing games with valuations, I'll use the nomination process to change board composition.

Less Pet Projects, More Necessary Infrastructure

At the last Commissioners Court in October 2025, our Sheriff requested $600,000 for six police cars. My first questions: Why don't we have a motor pool of vehicles with similar features to cannibalize and reuse parts? Why aren't we repurposing seized vehicles from impounds? Why are we in 2025 still asking these basic questions?

This isn't about cutting law enforcement - they need vehicles. This is about basic fiscal responsibility. If we're spending $100,000 per vehicle without exploring every cost-saving option first, what else are we wasting?

That $600K could fund fire hydrant installation. Water quality testing. Road repairs. Property tax relief.

Responsible budgeting means questioning every dollar spent - even when it's uncomfortable, even when it's your own party's priorities.

Zero-Based Budgeting Philosophy

Instead of automatically funding last year's budget plus inflation, every department should justify every dollar from zero each year. Is this expense necessary? Can we accomplish the same goal for less? Does this benefit residents or bureaucracy?

Transparency and Public Accountability

• Publish all county contracts and expenses online in searchable format
• Monthly budget reports showing actual vs. planned spending
• Public explanation for any contract over $50,000
• Annual report card: What we promised vs. what we delivered