The Pecos County Commissioners Court on Nov. 28 approved a mutual aid agreement between the Pecos County Sheriff’s Department and the Terrell County Sheriff’s Department. Terrell County, which borders Pecos County to the east and Mexico to the south, has had a high increase in illegal immigrants coming through the county.

“We had an agreement with Terrell County years ago,” Pecos County Sheriff TJ Perkins said.

The agreement will allow deputies from both departments to work together as requested in investigations of criminal activity in either county.

The court also came to an agreement with Traveler’s insurance for two hail-damaged police vehicles – a 2016 Ford Taurus and a 2003 Ford van. Perkins said the Taurus only has 64,000 miles on it and received dents and a shattered windshield in the Oct. 10 storm.

The county accepted $6,564.23 to keep the Taurus and make repairs, and $4,493.94 to total out the van.

The court approved an election services contract between Pecos County and the Buena Vista Independent School District for the Nov. 8 election. County Clerk Liz Chapman provided the polling places and arranged for their use for the BVISD election, provided the election kits and voting machines. The county paid the early voting and election day clerk and judges and the school district paid a fee for use of the voting machines, ES&S programmed the ballots, charged the county, and the county charged the school district for its portion of any costs associated with the programming.

The court approved a predator control report from the USDA-APHIS Wildlife Services. The county paid $1,800 to Trans Pecos Aviation to remove two coyotes from local ranches.

The court approved a request for funds from the Pecos County EMS for fuel. According to the EMS Director, gas prices have doubled since the beginning of the year. The court approved whatever amount the EMS would need for the remainder of the year.