The following is a press release by the City of Devine.
In July 2021, our city applied for grants to purchase two new generators to enhance our water infrastructure. The grants were funded under the American Rescue Plan (ARP). The ARP grants were administered by the Texas Division of Emergency Management. The decision to submit the grant applications was made by the Devine City Council. The grant applications were approved, and the City secured $1,196,558.00 in grants. The grant money was paid to the City in two installments.
Initially, Cleary Zimmerman Engineering was chosen for engineering services for the generator project. However, after discovering that Navarro Electric, Inc. offered a more cost-effective solution, Navarro Electric was selected to replace Cleary Zimmerman Engineering.
Navarro Electric would be purchasing the generators from a generator manufacturing company, Total Energy Solutions. This action was approved by City Council. Navarro Electric received a down-payment of $307,842.16, with the intention that this money would be paid to Total Energy Solutions. A portion of the down-payment was paid to Total Energy Solutions.
After consultations with the City’s grant administrator, it was determined that the grant guidelines required that the payment be made directly to Total Energy Solutions. Total Energy Solutions was contacted by the City and told that, in order to comply with the grant guidelines, the money paid to Total Energy Solutions had to be refunded to Navarro Electric.
After the money was refunded to Navarro Electric and paid to the City, it would be paid by the City directly to Total Energy Solutions. Total Energy Solutions refunded the money to Navarro Electric. Despite numerous requests for repayment made to Navarro Electric by the City from August 2023 through November 2023, Navarro Electric did not repay the money to the City.
In November 2023, after the appointment of David Jordan to the position of City Administrator, Mr. Jordan notified the City Council about Navarro Electric’s refusal to repay the City. The City Council made the decision to pursue criminal charges against Justin Navarro, the principal of Navarro Electric.
Subsequently, Justin Navarro was indicted by the Medina County Grand Jury. Navarro pleaded nolo contendere (no contest) to the charges. The Medina County District Court placed Navarro on four years’ deferred adjudication probation. As part of his probation, Navarro was ordered to: (1) return the money to the City of Devine; (2) perform 50 hours of community service; (3) complete an anti-theft class; and (4) write a letter of apology to the City of Devine.
In early 2024, 100% of the funds held by Navarro were successfully returned to the City of Devine.
The City of Devine remains steadfast in our commitment to transparency and fiduciary responsibility in managing public funds and ensuring the timely completion of crucial projects such as the generator installations.
For further details, please contact the City of Devine.
David L. Jordan
City Administrator
