Willacy County reviews ARPA vehicle purchase after procurement oversight; judge authorized to sign acknowledgement

Willacy County Commissioners Court on Dec. 29 reviewed an ARPA-funded precinct vehicle purchase after the county’s grant manager and consultant GrantWorks identified a procurement oversight.

A GrantWorks representative told the court the ARPA project (project 2486) was processed and completed “with integrity” and that the county followed applicable federal rules (citing 24 CFR 85.36). The representative said the purchase was originally advertised as a small project; at the time the price was recorded at $62,000, and the purchase later reached roughly $100,000 in value. Because the purchase exceeded the county’s small‑purchase threshold, it should have been advertised as an RFP, the representative said.

County staff said the discrepancy appeared to be an oversight and recommended documenting the procurement thoroughly for audit purposes. Commissioners discussed an administrator recommendation to amend procurement policy going forward — including consideration of a $100,000 threshold — so future ARPA purchases match procurement and audit expectations.

Commissioner Garcia moved and the court approved a motion authorizing the county judge to sign the ARPA funding acknowledgment for project 2486, to complete necessary vendor questionnaires, and to accept required documentation from LT Bozwills LLC (vendor listed in project paperwork).

Next steps: staff will provide documentation to auditors and present proposed procurement-policy updates to the court for future approval.