Commissioners authorize conveyance of county parcel for public transit facility

Bee County Commissioners voted unanimously to authorize the county judge to negotiate and execute documents transferring county-owned property at 4045 South Hillside Drive (approximately 2.41 acres, Property ID 103829) to the Rural Economic Assistance League (REAL) at no cost for development of a public transit facility.

Martin Orelas Mata, speaking for REAL, told the court the organization has operated regional transit services for 54 years and presented studies supporting site selection, feasibility, and regulatory compliance. He said the project has an initial funding package that includes a TxDOT-related grant of about $140,000 plus $60,000–$80,000 from another grant source, yielding an initial target of roughly $200,000 for a modest facility. Orelas Mata said a categorical exclusion was granted on May 28, allowing the project to proceed to local discussions.

Commissioners praised REAL's operations and staff, noting positive service records since the agency assumed transit operations a decade ago. County officials emphasized the public benefits of a modernized transit facility—routine passenger transport, food pantry pop-ups and emergency mobility coordination—and said a completed facility could be operational in 12–16 months if funding and regulatory steps proceed as described.

The court approved the motion to authorize the judge to negotiate and execute conveyance and related documents without recorded roll-call names; the resolution passed by unanimous voice vote. Commissioners asked REAL to return as the project advances for groundbreakings and further oversight. No sale price or rental conditions were included in the action; the transfer was described as at no cost to REAL to support public transit services.