Val Verde County Approves Record Paving Loan And Laughlin Air Force Base Grant Request
Val Verde County commissioners approved a $2.175 million tax note for road paving and a $4.7 million grant request for Laughlin Air Force Base in Del Rio.
DEL RIO, Texas – Val Verde County will borrow $2,175,000 for road paving after commissioners unanimously approved the county’s 2026 tax note. County Judge Lewis G. Owens Jr. called it the most money ever set aside for paving in county history.
The Commissioners Court voted 5-0 at its Oct. 21 meeting to borrow the money from JPMorgan Chase at 4.43 percent interest. David Gonzalez of PFM, the county’s financial advisor, said the loan will not raise the tax rate and the county can keep its current debt service rate.
$4.7 million request for Laughlin AFB
Commissioners also voted 5-0 to let Judge Owens sign a Defense Economic Adjustment Assistance Grant application asking for $4,702,518.94. The money would fund the Val Verde Aerospace and Manufacturing and CTE Innovation Initiative at Laughlin Air Force Base.
County Engineer Carlos Velarde said the grant would buy three pieces of equipment, including a metal 3D printer, so base personnel can make aircraft parts that are no longer available because of the planes’ age. Owens said an award would push county grants for the base past $20 million.
Other business
The court recognized Del Rio native Alejandra “Alex” Garcia of West Texas Counseling and Guidance, named the 2026 Mental Health Professional of the Year in Texas by NAMI. Commissioners also let the Del Rio Queens Softball team use the county fields on Frontera Road through Dec. 31 while its own fields are renovated.
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