Michael Hall

Taxpayers expect their county government to manage public funds responsibly, transparently, and within the law. A recent forensic audit shows that expectation was not met. In early 2025, Nueces County hired Carr, Riggs & Ingram Advisors to conduct a forensic audit of two critical areas: the county’s self-insured health insurance fund and the county auditor’s office. The review covered multiple fiscal years and examined financial records, internal controls, procurement practices, and...

Voters deserve straight answers about how public money is handled. In 2018, Nueces County received approximately $750,000 in federal grant funding  to expand an observation deck at Bob Hall Pier. These funds were awarded for a public purpose, and federal rules are clear: grant-funded facilities cannot be used for private commercial gain . That rule was ignored. Instead of remaining a public observation area, the federally funded structure was leased to a private restaurant operator. During a...

The Nueces County Appraisal District (NCAD) is tasked with one of the most consequential and sensitive responsibilities in local government: placing fair market values on every piece of real and business property in the county, a process that underpins property tax bills for homeowners, businesses, schools, hospitals, and city services. When that system breaks down, not just in individual valuations but in how decisions are made and how transparent those decisions are, the entire community...