Jim Wells County Commissioners Court on Oct. 10 approved a financing contract with Government Capital to acquire new trash compactor trucks for the county’s solid waste operation.

Commission staff said the financing request covered $657,093 at a 5.58% interest rate over six years, producing an annual payment of $131,943.06. The commissioner sponsoring the purchase said the trash service operation generates about $540,000 in revenue annually and will cover the financing payments; the county also intends to auction older vehicles and apply proceeds toward the note balance.

County procurement staff noted one vehicle’s procurement paperwork remains pending with the vendor and the auditor’s office for verification, and that the procurement step will be completed after the court approved financing. Commissioners approved the resolution and authorized the procurement procedures to proceed.

Why the county acted: Officials said existing compactor trucks require costly repairs; financing will allow replacement while matching payments to projected service revenue. The county retains an early payoff option in the financing agreement.