Commissioners approve interlocal agreement to pursue Colonia water improvements on Whitman Street

The Jim Wells County Commissioners Court approved an interlocal agreement on Tuesday that allows the county to partner with the Jim Wells County Freshwater District to apply for a Colonia Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to repair water infrastructure in the Bimbolt area.

Norma Sales, county grant administrator, told the court the interlocal agreement is required to proceed with the county’s Colonia grant application for water improvements and associated road restoration. The agreement references grant DFC‑26‑0017 and includes language clarifying how the freshwater district may authorize its representative to approve change orders without requiring a separate board meeting.

Commissioner Gonzalez described the project area as Whitman Street on the south side of Bimbolt and said it runs about four blocks. He said the grant work will replace aging water lines and help protect the road surface where the water line currently sits in the middle of the roadway. The court approved the agreement after confirming the final edited language and the district attorney’s review.