County joins City of Alice in TIRZ for Saddle Creek housing infrastructure, extends zone to 2040

Jim Wells County voted June 12 to participate in City of Alice Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) No. 3 (Saddle Creek) and to approve an updated project and financing plan, including an extension of the zone term to 2040. Developer Vincent Marquez of Northside Redevelopment Center said the project includes 42 lots and aims to supply single‑family homes starting near $189,000, coupled with concrete streets, curbs and gutters to raise neighborhood quality.

Under the arrangement presented, 100% of the tax increment generated by improvements in the zone will be dedicated to reimbursing infrastructure work that facilitates the housing development. Marquez said the developer will move forward once bank financing and the city’s development agreement are secured; he estimated a six‑ to eight‑month lead time for kickoff after approvals.

Why it matters: Participation in a TIRZ can finance infrastructure that reduces upfront costs for developers and supports housing construction in targeted neighborhoods. Commissioners noted that if development fails to materialize, there will be no increment to reimburse the developer.

What’s next: County staff will execute necessary interlocal documents and monitor project milestones; the county’s participation was approved by voice vote during the meeting.