CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Nueces County Commissioners Court had a busy Wednesday as it was revealed that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are charging the County $750,000.
The charge is revealed to be a result of the County not keeping its promise to use the new deck at Bob Hall Pier solely as an observation deck. Part of the observation deck was turned into the restaurant Mikel May's.
"That restaurant shouldn't even be there," County Commissioner Joe A. Gonzalez said.
The issue stems from the initial agreement with the government on how the massive concrete decks paid for with tax dollars would be used.
"We did something we shouldn't have done, and we just need to correct it," Gonzalez said.
Mikel May's has been a fixture on Bob Hall Pier for the last few years. Beachgoers can grab a bite to eat there while enjoying the view.
"Federal government found us recently not in compliance with that. So what we've asked them to do is, what are our options?" Gonzalez said.
Commissioner Brent Chesney represents Padre Island and considers the restaurant a vital community asset and said it should stay.
"We don't owe anything right now because we can always choose to say we're not going to pay it back and therefore Mikel May's would have not to be there anymore. That's not something I want to do, and neither does the majority of the court. We're in the process of trying to figure out where to go," Chesney said.
Nueces County Judge Barbara Canales suggested commissioners ask for some local assistance.
"We cannot afford to pay it back, and I don't think we can afford the litigation that could happen if we choose to close the restaurant down. I like the opportunity of another door being opened for us," Canales said.
Nueces County Commissioners Court is looking into the Ed Roshell Foundation who is known for helping worthy causes.
"We have I guess a lead if you will be able to go the Ed Roshell Foundation and pursue a creative approach. we don't know what that is," Canales said.
According to Chesney, they've reached out to our congressman and Senator Cornyn for direction. If no outside funding is found for the commissioners, maybe a payment plan might be an alternative.