November 2025: When A Contractor Asked Webb County For A Reimbursement To Cover Tariffs On Equipment, Tano Tijerina Said “This Tariff Thing” Had Already Come Before The County Court And “It Was Not A Tariff, It Was Just Their Way Of Making More Money”

November 2025: A Wastewater Plant Contractor Asked Webb County For A $46,131 Reimbursement To Cover Tariffs On Equipment

November 2025: A Wastewater Plant Contractor Asked Webb County For A $46,131 Reimbursement, Citing Newly Imposed Federal Tariffs On Equipment Orders. “Webb County leaders tabled a $46,131 reimbursement request from a wastewater plant contractor this past week after they cited newly imposed federal tariffs on equipment orders. The contractor sought to use contingency funds to offset costs allegedly incurred after ordering positive displacement blowers for the treatment plant.” [Laredo Morning Times, 11/16/25]

November 2025: Tijerina Said “This Tariff Thing” Had Already Come Before The Webb County Court And “It Was Not A Tariff, It Was Just Their Way Of Making More Money”

Tijerina Said “This Tariff Thing” Had “Already Come To The Court Two Or Three Times” And “All Of A Sudden We Come To Find Out It Was Not A Tariff, It Was Just Their Way Of Making More Money.” GUILLERMO CUELLAR: “We are paying for tariffs on positive displacement blowers for the wastewater treatment plant facility project we are doing. Back in July the contractor ordered equipment and there or shortly thereafter taxes were imposed by the government, some tariffs. And so now they’re asking to get compensated–” TIJERINA: “Well this has already come to the Court two or three times, this tariff thing. All of a sudden we come to find out it was not a tariff, it was just their way of making more money. So how do we know the difference?” [Webb County Commissioners Court Meeting, 01:28:38, 11/15/25] (VIDEO)

Tijerina: “Where I’m Sitting, I’ve Heard The Tariff Thing Already Two Or Three Times Come Out To Be Not True.” GUILLERMO CUELLAR: “And so the tariffs came in in July like a few days after.” TIJERINA: “Please understand, sitting here where I’m sitting, I’ve heard the tariff thing already two or three times come out to be not true. They were just– Perfect example the restrooms. They wanted to charge us $5,000 more because of ‘tariffs.’ Come to find out, we called their bluff and all of a sudden it didn’t happen. So how do I know that this is a tariff?” [Webb County Commissioners Court Meeting, 01:29:30, 11/15/25] (VIDEO)

  • Tijerina Said The Restroom Company “Wanted To Charge Us $5,000 More Because Of ‘Tariffs.’” GUILLERMO CUELLAR: “And so the tariffs came in in July like a few days after.” TIJERINA: “Please understand, sitting here where I’m sitting, I’ve heard the tariff thing already two or three times come out to be not true. They were just– Perfect example the restrooms. They wanted to charge us $5,000 more because of ‘tariffs.’ Come to find out, we called their bluff and all of a sudden it didn’t happen. So how do I know that this is a tariff?” [Webb County Commissioners Court Meeting, 01:29:30, 11/15/25] (VIDEO)
  • Tijerina Made Air Quotes Around The Word “Tariffs.” [Webb County Commissioners Court Meeting, 01:29:38, 11/15/25] (VIDEO)

Image: see original report, p. 13

November 2025: Webb County’s Legal Counsel Said The Contract May Require Reimbursement For Extraordinary Tariff Costs. “Webb County leaders tabled a $46,131 reimbursement request from a wastewater plant contractor this past week after they cited newly imposed federal tariffs on equipment orders. The contractor sought to use contingency funds to offset costs allegedly incurred after ordering positive displacement blowers for the treatment plant. Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina and the commissioners expressed skepticism that the charges were valid or that the county was responsible for paying them. He questioned whether the tariffs were actually applied after the order and said contractors should account for such risks when submitting bids. The county's legal counsel said the contract may require reimbursement for extraordinary tariff costs but asked for time to review the agreement and documentation before making a recommendation.” [Laredo Morning Times, 11/16/25]

  • Webb County’s Legal Counsel: “Under The Contract, It’s My Understanding That We’re Obligated To Pay These Expenditures Because They’re Extraordinary.” COUNSEL: “Under the contract, it’s my understanding that we’re obligated to pay these expenditures because they’re extraordinary. We did track them down and they did get invoicing that showed that the tariffs had been applied timely to these items.” [Webb County Commissioners Court Meeting, 01:31:15, 11/15/25] (VIDEO)

November 2025: Webb County Tabled The $46,131 Reimbursement Request While Legal Counsel Reviewed The Agreement. “Webb County leaders tabled a $46,131 reimbursement request from a wastewater plant contractor this past week after they cited newly imposed federal tariffs on equipment orders. The contractor sought to use contingency funds to offset costs allegedly incurred after ordering positive displacement blowers for the treatment plant. Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina and the commissioners expressed skepticism that the charges were valid or that the county was responsible for paying them. He questioned whether the tariffs were actually applied after the order and said contractors should account for such risks when submitting bids. The county's legal counsel said the contract may require reimbursement for extraordinary tariff costs but asked for time to review the agreement and documentation before making a recommendation.” [Laredo Morning Times, 11/16/25]

Source report (PDF)