County commissioners were confronted with an unusual situation at a special meeting Tuesday morning.

Justice of the Peace Pct. 4 Juan Salinas announced his resignation and read a letter to that effect.

He explained that he finds it necessary to resign in order to cash in his county retirement to address financial problems involving his homestead.

Salinas previously worked for the Sheriff's dept. before becoming a justice of the peace in Sebastian.

After reading the letter in which he expressed appreciation to the sheriff and to county commissioners, Judge Salinas made an unusual offer.

"I can remain as J.P. in an unpaid position. I plan to run for the office in March (2010)."

Acting County Judge Aurelio "Keeter" Guerra commented,

"I've seen this situation before with the schools where employees are forced to resign in order to draw their retirement because of financial problems and then are reappointed."

Guerra made a motion to accept Judge Salinas resignation which was seconded by Pct. 2 Commis-sioner Erasmo "Eddie" Chapa. The motion passed unanimously and commissioners tabled a following item which called for them to consider replacing Judge Salinas.

Salinas said he expects that it will take 30 days for his paperwork to clear the county auditor and treasurer and Chapa said, "We can act on this after that time. I move we pass on this item,"which was then tabled.

In other business:

Commissioners approved an interlocal agreement with the City of Raymondville to share the $750.00 monthly rental fee for use of an existing 500 ft. radio transmission tower on FM490. This will enable the city and county to use the new police radios recently bought with grant funds.

Sheriff's Dept. grant writer Joe Jimenez was authorized to attend training in Austin on Nov. 2 and 3 and Librarian Virginia Barron was given the okay for training in Corpus Christi, Oct.8