Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Jim Wells County, TX public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
16 issues
Jail Prisoner Detention and Medical Costs
To handle unexpected inmate transfers and avoid jail standard violations, the county established backup housing agreements with Nueces and Bee counties.
2027 Group Health Plan Renewal Rates
The county approved its 2027 health plan renewal with a 9.9% rate increase, opting for a $2,000 deductible option to keep costs manageable for employees and the county budget.
Local Disaster Declarations for Drought and Screwworms
The court extended local disaster declarations by 30 days to address ongoing severe drought conditions and the threat of the New World screwworm to local livestock.
Sewer Infrastructure Funding
Ben Bolt is finally getting federal funding to build its very first sewer system. This is a huge win for local infrastructure and health, bringing modern wastewater management to the community.
State of the City address
Tickets are now up for grabs to check out the upcoming 2026 State of the City address in Alice. It's your chance to hear firsthand about local plans and what's next for the community.
GLO Storm Water Improvement Projects at K-Bar Ranch and Rancho Alegre
The county advanced a $200,000 payment to the contractor for the retention pond project to bridge the gap while waiting for state GLO grant reimbursements.
Homeowner Reconstruction Assistance Program RFPs
Proposals submitted for the Homeowner Reconstruction Assistance Program will be publicly opened and forwarded for evaluation.
Disaster Recovery Reallocation Program Procurement
The county is moving forward to solicit administrative and engineering services for the GLO Disaster Recovery Reallocation Program, helping manage future disaster relief efforts.
Proposed 2026 Tax Rate and 2027 Budget Planning
The county adopted its 2027 budget of $26.6 million and maintained the property tax rate at 0.767802 per $100 valuation for the third consecutive year. The budget includes a $1.4 million contingency reserve for prisoner detention costs.
Animal Control Order Update
The county is reviewing a brand new animal control order for unincorporated areas to replace the outdated 2018 rules.
Retail Electric Power Procurement
The county approved locking in a 60-month retail electric contract with NRG through TIPS to protect against rising energy market volatility.
New World Screwworm Disaster Declaration
Jim Wells County and Alice have officially declared a disaster after last Thursday's storms wrecked the area. This move is basically a green light to get state and federal cash flowing so we can fix the power grid and clear out the debris.
Jail Facility Evaluation
The county cleared away old contract talks to start fresh with a new request for proposals for jail expansion or replacement studies.
VTX1 Fiber Internet Renewal for Rural County Facilities
The county is renewing its 3-year internet contract with VTX1 to keep 8 offices in Orange Grove and Premont connected with reliable speeds for phone systems.
Public Health and Safety Services
The county updated its agreement with Allegiance Ambulance Service to include mandatory state clauses required by a $350,000 Comptroller grant used to purchase a new county ambulance.
Cybersecurity Infrastructure
The county established a specialized IT committee to coordinate with cybersecurity firm Corbicon under state grant programs.