Justice of the Peace Mary Ann Luedecke from Jeff Davis County has access to a 2023 Ram Cummins Diesel 4×4, equipped with extensive enhancements, bringing its estimated value to over $70,000. The truck’s initial cost was $53,250, with an additional $20,000 invested in features such as advanced emergency vehicle lighting, a robust grill guard, running boards, and specialized radio equipment.
County Judge Curtis Evans explained the vehicle’s availability, stating, “The Jeff Davis County Commissioners authorized the Justice of the Peace to use this truck and also other County Elected officials and County Employees may use this vehicle on an As Need Basis.”
In a broader regional context, this level of resource allocation appears highly exceptional. To gauge the norm, Big Bend Times reached out to other local justices of the peace—two in Presidio County and three in Brewster County. None of these officials have access to county vehicles, instead using their personal vehicles for all county-related duties. Justice Susana Gonzales from Marathon, Texas, confirmed this is standard practice in her remarks about recently receiving her first county-provided cell phone after years of service.
Amidst growing scrutiny, further questions about the Ram 3500 have emerged. Following unanswered initial inquiries, Big Bend Times submitted follow-up questions to county officials requesting additional transparency on the vehicle’s purchase, its users, and the specific county business justifications. Questions also covered the sources of funding for the truck, including whether Lone Star or Stonegarden grant funds were used, and whether this vehicle was the same one the EMS director had access to before her dismissal.
The lack of responses to these detailed follow-up questions has only heightened community calls for more transparency and accountability concerning this high-value county asset.llow-ups, responses from county officials remain pending. This lack of transparency has intensified calls from the community for clearer accountability regarding the use and justification of such a high-value county asset.
