Willacy County authorizes chair to apply for $250,000-scale security upgrades via congressional community project funding

Willacy County Commissioners on March 5 authorized the county chair to apply for FY2027 community project funding through the office of U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (34th District) to upgrade security systems across county facilities.

County staff described proposed uses including replacement/upgrades of surveillance systems at the sheriff’s office and jail perimeter, improvements to the administrative building, district court and annex, fencing, electric gates and driveway work and a vehicle canopy. Staff said the program requires no local match and estimated the package could include high-ticket items that might total in the neighborhood of $250,000.

A staff speaker noted the application deadline that evening and emphasized the need for quick authorization. During discussion the judge linked the request to courthouse renovation conversations and asked that surveillance planning be coordinated with the renovation team; staff confirmed Chief Rivera has been involved in planning.

Commissioner (S3) moved to authorize the sheriff’s office (through the chair) to apply for the congressional community project funding; the court approved the motion by voice vote. Staff said the application will target security enhancements and that any specific equipment purchases would return to the court for procurement or approval as required.

Next steps: staff to file the community project funding request by the deadline and return with any grant award or procurement requests for commissioner consideration.