Cameron County officials describe the county’s Vehicle and Equipment Maintenance Facility as the “heartbeat” of Cameron County’s operations.
From law enforcement patrols to transportation of heavy-duty equipment by the public works department, traveling is a crucial necessity for departments.
After 18 months of construction, Cameron County officials hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony in San Benito on Friday in celebration of the county’s new $1.5 million facility.
The 14,630-square-foot facility includes an entry waiting lobby for visitors, offices for staff, enclosed and covered vehicle bays, parts and tire storage, fluid storage areas and a welding shop.
Features of the facility include an exhaust source capture system, overhead automotive fluid dispenser system and compressed air couplings throughout the building.
Cameron County Judge Eddie Trevino, Jr. gave the new and old facility a “day and night” comparison.
“It’s really shocking how productive our guys were out of that old facility,” Trevino said. “So, we’re expecting even bigger and better things from them now in this nice, brand new and clean facility.”
Trevino said the construction of a new Vehicle Maintenance and Equipment Facility was part of the administration and Commissioners Court’s effort to update facilities.
The old building, located next door to the new one, will be torn down, according to Trevino.
A new Precinct 3 warehouse is planned to be built in its place.
According to Precinct 3 Cameron County Commissioner David A. Garza, the idea to create a new vehicle and maintenance facility building had been in the works for more than 10 years.
“This has been one of my priorities because I know how important vehicle maintenance is to county operations,” Garza said. “So, we hope this will facilitate an easy operation for them in a way where they are working more comfortably because we care about them.”
