Jim Wells County commissioners on Sept. 12 authorized the sheriff’s office to accept a 2026 Operation Lone Star grant (GRAMA number 4379604) totaling $470,589 to be used for equipment and overtime.

Sheriff Joseph Godbaker told the court the grant funds would be used to purchase vehicles and cover overtime operations, noting several patrol vehicles currently have about 250,000 miles and need replacement. He said a significant portion of the grant would be allocated to buying and outfitting new patrol vehicles for the patrol division.

Commissioners approved acceptance of the grant. One commissioner noted a typographic reference (