Pecos authorizes negotiating interlocal with Reeves County for Bessie Haynes Park aquatic facility

The Pecos City Council authorized the city manager to negotiate and execute an interlocal agreement with Reeves County to develop an aquatic facility at Bessie Haynes Park.

Assistant City Manager Nicole Farini described the park master plan and said the county had committed to funding park improvements and the aquatic facility. Farini said the conceptual park master plan is a multi‑phase project the city earlier estimated at $13–$15 million (the figure cited excludes the aquatic facility itself) and that the interlocal would define roles for the city, county and the school district, which holds title to portions of the park area the city leases.

Farini explained the proposed terms include a requirement that the county begin the project within a negotiated period (staff proposed up to five years as a legal backstop, and council discussed accelerating that to two or three years). A county official at the meeting said commissioners are enthusiastic and could move more quickly because of reserve funds.

Council members emphasized the desire to keep the project moving quickly, discussed potential 20‑year lease terms for park property used by the aquatic facility, and voted to authorize the city manager to finalize negotiations and enter the interlocal agreement. Staff said the interlocal would be negotiated with attention to start timelines and coordinated responsibilities for construction, operation and maintenance.