29 Oct Zapata County commissioners name Sheriff’s Office emergency operations center, approve fleet deal

Zapata County commissioners on Monday designated the Sheriff’s Office as the county’s emergency operations center, according to the Zapata County News. County Judge Joseph Rathmell requested the item for the Oct. 26 regular meeting, held at 9 a.m. at the Zapata County Courthouse.

The court also approved the following payments and agreements:

• CAPEX Resources Group: A $17,500 payment, requested by Rathmell. The amount is half of a $35,000 invoice for consultant work at the Zapata County Water Works.
• DBT Transportation Service LLC: A $6,662 payment, with the county covering 10% and RAMP funds covering 90%. Airport Director Mingo Castañeda requested the item.
• AARC Environmental Inc.: A yearly payment of $12,802, also requested by the airport director.
• Enterprise Fleet Management: A partnership for 11 fleet vehicles and related services, requested by company representative Thomas Hildebrand. The package covers four Silverado pickups, two express vans and five Ford F-150s, with 11 existing vehicles traded in. The listed cost is $48,190.44.

The county will continue to house SCAN Inc., which runs prevention and family support programs, and cover its utilities, at the request of Maggie Amesquita.

Ten street lights cleared as consent items: one at 1002 Carla St. in Precinct 1, one at 1603 Bravo Ave. in Precinct 2, and eight in Precinct 3 at 620 Hawk St., 401 Irene Drive, 5317 Atwood Lane, 119 Raven, 509 Lincoln St., 5331 Betty Lane, 5411 Grande Lane and 5326 Pharr Lane.

The court also passed a resolution backing the fiscal 2027 Texas Indigent Defense Commission Formula Grant.

Commissioners took no action on the first three agenda items, which cover approval of invoices and checks and the tax assessor-collector’s departmental report. The reason given was the changeover between fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27.

The next regular meeting is set for Monday, Nov. 9, at 9 a.m.