County approves record $2.2 million loan for road paving

By Sammy · Nov 3, 2026
sammy.delriopost@gmail.com

DEL RIO, Texas — Val Verde County Commissioners Court voted 5-0 on Wednesday, Oct. 21, to approve a $2,175,000 tax note to pay for county paving and other public works.

David Gonzalez of PFM, the county’s financial adviser, told the court that JPMorgan Chase submitted the lowest of several bank bids at 4.43%, and that bids ranged up to 4.93% (county video, 00:09:52). He said the funds could be wired to the county on Nov. 19, with payments ending in February 2033 (00:09:22).

“This is not a tax rate impact to the taxpayers of Val Verde County… you’re able to maintain your I&S tax rate exactly as it stands today,” he said (00:10:43).

After the vote, County Judge Lewis G. Owens Jr. said, “This is a first time in Val Verde County history that we’ve ever set aside so much money for paving” (00:12:03). He added that the county will probably need to do it again in two or three years as other notes are paid off, “cuz I think our number one complaint is streets but you really can’t fix them unless you got money” (00:12:23).

Laughlin grant request

The court also voted 5-0 to authorize Owens to apply for a $4,702,518.94 Defense Economic Adjustment Assistance Grant for an aerospace, manufacturing and career-education initiative at Laughlin Air Force Base. County Engineer Carlos Velarde said the money would buy three pieces of equipment, including “a metal 3D printer,” so the base can make parts for aging aircraft (00:38:33).

Other actions

The court let the Del Rio Queens Softball team use the county fields on Frontera Road through Dec. 31 while its own fields are renovated.
Commissioners approved the fiscal 2027 Texas Indigent Defense Commission grant resolution.
A motion to approve an LED streetlight installation failed for lack of a second (00:33:13).
During citizens’ comments, West Texas Counseling and Guidance honored lead clinician Alejandra “Alex” Garcia, who received a statewide award from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (00:01:32).

The court’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Nov. 4 at 9 a.m.

Sources

Photo: Val Verde County Commissioners Court, Oct. 21, 2026. Still from Val Verde County meeting video.