Travis County Bail Bond Board Meeting Minutes - October 1, 2025
Present:
- Ms. Dolores Ortega-Carter, Chair (In Person)
- Mr. Billy Engle, Vice Chair (In Person)
- Mr. Benjamin Blackburn, 2nd Vice-Chair (In Person)
- Mr. Chris Dietche, District Clerk’s Office (In Person)
- Lt. Michael Everill, TCSO (In Person)
- Judge Barrera, County Court 8 (In Person)
- Ms. Maria Luedke, County Clerk’s Office (Virtual)
- Ms. Amanda Green, County Clerk (Virtual)
- Judge Ron Myerson, Municipal Court (Virtual)
Also Present:
- Ms. Annalynn Cox, County Attorney’s Office (In Person)
- Ms. Annalynn Cox, County Attorney’s Office (In Person)
- Ms. Melissa Hargis County Attorney’s Office (In Person)
- Ms. Angelica McDowell, Bail Bond Board Secretary (In Person)
- Ms. Jennifer Moreno, Bail Bonds Express (In Person)
- Ms. Vickie Riojas, Pretrial Services (Virtual)
- Ms. Sara Casey, County Attorney, (Virtual)
- Mr. Eric Dobbs, County Attorney’s Office (Virtual)
- Mr. Daniel Brenza, ATX Bail Bonds 2 (Virtual)
Ms. Ortega-Carter called the meeting to order.
A. Consider minutes of the September 3, 2025, meeting and take appropriate action.
Mr. Engle moved, Judge Barrera seconded, and the Board voted to approve September 3, 2025, minutes.
Discuss City of Austin zoning regulations for bail bond companies and take appropriate action.
After a discussion on the City of Austin zoning regulations for the Central Business District / Criminal Justice Overlay, Ms. Ortega-Carter moved, Mr. Blackburn seconded, and the Board voted 6-2 to request the County Attorney’s Office draft a letter for review at the November meeting to Ashely’s Bail Bonds concerning their location. Judge Meyerson and Mr. Dietche opposed.
C. Receive report from the Travis County Sheriff’s Office concerning possible bail bond scam calls and take appropriate action.
Lt. Everill informed the Board that the Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating reports of a possible scam related to paying additional bail bond fees in Travis County. After discussion, Ms. Ortega-Carter moved, Mr. Blackburn seconded, and the Board voted to request Mr. Engle to send a notice to Travis County bail bond licensees informing them of these scams. TCSO will provide an update on the investigation at next month’s meeting.
D. Consider request from Jennifer Moreno dba Bail Bonds Express for release of certificates of deposit being held as collateral for her license and take appropriate action
Mr. Engle moved, and Mr. Blackburn seconded, and the board voted to move this request to November meeting.
E. Consider change to BBB Rule C(14) to change the time for collateral request modifications and take appropriate action.
After discussion, Mr. Blackburn moved, Mr. Engle seconded, and the Board voted 7–0 (with one abstention) to modify Rule C(14) as it relates to changes concerning collateral posted with the Treasurer. Ms. Green abstained.
F. Public Comment
None
Mr. Engle requested to add an item to next month’s agenda concerning the zoning requirements of bail bond offices in Austin/Travis County.
Mr. Blackburn moved, Judge Meyerson seconded, and the Board voted to adjourn.
