Jim Wells County Commissioners Court on Aug. 22 approved two items related to Alice International Airport: continuing a landing/use arrangement with Halo Flight and a three‑year interlocal agreement committing county funds for airport operation and maintenance.

On Halo Flight, court members discussed whether to charge the air ambulance/flight service for a designated parking area. The county stated the longstanding fee is $2.75 per month for the 30-by-30 area the vendor uses. One commissioner argued Halo Flight’s presence provides a countywide public-safety benefit and objected to charging the service; another commissioner said the fee is routine. The court voted to approve the agreement renewing the arrangement (the transcript records the vote as three yays and two nays).

On the Alice International Airport interlocal agreement with the City of Dallas and the airport operator, the county judge summarized a contribution of $150,000 per year to cover operation and maintenance costs for the airport for an initial term beginning Jan. 1, 2025 and ending Dec. 31, 2027. The agreement allows an extension of the initial three‑year term for an additional two years if later approved by commissioners’ court. The judge said the county would not provide lump-sum cash directly but would pay approved invoices submitted by the airport; invoices would be paid within 30 days per the agreement. The interlocal also includes a not‑to‑exceed clause—court comments referenced an additional $20,000 cap for other requests beyond the $150,000 annual commitment.

Commissioners voted to approve the interlocal and the Halo Flight arrangement at the meeting. Commissioners asked staff to meet with the city manager for further details if additional clarifications are needed.

Ending: Both items were approved and will be implemented via invoice payments and future interlocal renewals or amendments as required by the county.