The Pecos County Commissioners Court prioritized regional infrastructure over recreation during its regular meeting on Monday, June 8, awarding a nearly $5 million bid for a new community center in Iraan while grappling with a projected multimillion-dollar revenue shortfall tied to fluctuating oil prices.

The court awarded a $4,997,000 contract to Flatco Construction for the Iraan Community Center project. The new facility is designed to house the justice of the peace and tax assessor-collector offices alongside community spaces, replacing aging structures with significant foundation and electrical issues.

The decision to move forward came after a lengthy debate regarding rising construction costs, which officials noted have surged to more than $500 per square foot. To ensure the Iraan project was fully funded, the court voted to decline all current bids for a proposed pavilion at the Desert Pines Golf Course, effectively tabling that project until a later date.