Jim Wells County approves up to $182,074 for 12-inch waterline to serve Real Incorporated transit facility

Jim Wells County Commissioners Court on March 3 approved financial assistance of up to $182,074 to extend a 12-inch waterline to serve a new transit facility operated by Real Incorporated.

The county approved a motion to fund materials and reimburse the City of Dallas for labor under a memorandum of understanding requiring invoices be submitted directly to the county and capped at $182,074. Martino Ornelas, who said he oversees transit services at Real Incorporated, told the court the facility is under construction and that upgrading from the existing 2-inch line to an 8-inch minimum — and preferably a 12-inch line — is needed to support permitting and future development. “For every dollar invested in transit, there’s a $6 return,” Ornelas said.

The court’s action directed staff to document the payment arrangement in an MOU with the city, with invoices submitted to the county for payment. According to presenters, the city expects the physical work to take about 12 days once crews begin and said it could prioritize the project on its schedule; the county’s approval sets a maximum payment to cover the 12-inch option shown on a cost sheet dated Feb. 27, 2025.

Discussion at the meeting made clear the county had considered installing an 8-inch line as a minimum but approved a 12-inch line to accommodate potential future development along the bypass and to avoid a later request for additional county funding. The court’s motion carried; the vote tally was not specified in the record.

Real Incorporated staff invited county officials to a groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for March 12 at 3 p.m., and presenters said the waterline connection is a critical step to allow the facility’s permitting and heavier construction to proceed.