Court approves fronting $138,797.75 for Ben Bolt Volunteer Fire Department truck, to be reimbursed by grant

The Jim Wells County Commissioners Court on March 10 approved a memorandum of understanding to provide up-front funds to the Ben Bolt Volunteer Fire Department for purchase of a 2025 Ford F-650 straight frame super cab fire truck costing $138,797.75. The fire department will reimburse the county for the full purchase price if it receives the reimbursable truck grant administered through the Texas A&M Forest Service.

County officials discussed reimbursement mechanics and precedent. One commissioner asked whether volunteer departments could keep advance funds; the county’s standard practice, as described in the meeting, has been to front the cost and then receive reimbursement into the county accounts. The county judge and other commissioners said reimbursing the county is the intent stated in the agenda item. The county auditor’s office indicated the funds would come from the county general fund balance allocated for volunteer fire assistance.

A motion to approve the MOU and front the money for the purchase was made and seconded; the court approved the item by voice vote. Officials noted the department is appreciative of the county’s willingness to front funds while the grant award is pending. The transcript records the amount ($138,797.75) and that the purchase will be reimbursed to the county upon award of the grant; the court did not modify the repayment terms during the meeting.