Jim Wells County Guide: Sheriff, Elections, Jail, Extension Contacts

Overview and purpose

This guide gathers the everyday contacts and entry points Jim Wells County residents use when they need to check a jail roster, find official election notices and sample ballots, contact the sheriff, or reach Texas A&M AgriLife Extension in Alice. It is organized around the concrete tasks people call county offices to complete: custody checks and bonds, election information and accessible voting, agricultural and family programming, and routine titling or tax questions. ([census.gov](census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/jimwellscountytexas/PST045225))

Quick county snapshot and historical orientation

Jim Wells County’s population was 38,891 in the 2020 Census and the most recent estimate for July 1, 2025, is 38,804, a decline of about -0.3 percent since 2020, which helps explain why a small number of offices handle many public duties from Alice. The county was founded in 1911 and is named for James B. Wells Jr., a South Texas judge and political leader, which is how the county’s institutions and civic culture have been shaped over more than a century. ([census.gov](census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/jimwellscountytexas/PST045225))

Sheriff’s Office and checking the jail roster

If you need law enforcement contact or custody verification, the Jim Wells County Sheriff’s Office is the first stop: the sheriff is the county’s chief law enforcement officer with duties including criminal investigations, traffic enforcement, operation of the county jail and safekeeping of inmates, courthouse security, service of subpoenas, and accepting bail. For direct contact, the sheriff’s office lists Sheriff Joseph Guy Baker and the main non-emergency phone number 361-668-0341; the office also offers a departmental app for breaking news and alerts. To confirm custody status, the sheriff’s web pages point to a “Current Jail Roster” link that lists bookings, charges, bond information, and booking dates; the county explicitly notes that some Apple and Android users need Google Chrome installed to view the roster correctly on mobile devices. ([co.jim-wells.tx.us](co.jim-wells.tx.us/page/co.county.sheriff))

What to do when you need immediate verification: call 361-668-0341 for recorded arrest or detention information, or consult the posted Current Jail Roster online before driving to the jail for a visit. If you are arranging bail, the sheriff’s page explains the department accepts bail for prisoners in custody; confirm bond amounts on the roster or by phone before making arrangements. ([jimwellscounty-tx.gov](jimwellscounty-tx.gov/jail.html))

Elections, sample ballots, and public notices

For voter registration details, sample ballots, and official election results, use the Jim Wells County Elections portal and its All Notices page. The county publishes accessible voting guidance — including curbside voting and accessible voting equipment at polling locations — and posts official documents such as sample ballots and canvass results. A recent example on the All Notices page shows March 3, 2026 joint primary materials with cumulative documents labeled “final after canvass” and a 6,735 total; the page also lists City of Premont election materials and a May 2, 2026 sample ballot. If you need to reach the elections office directly, contact Richard Guerra at 361-668-5711 or Richard.Guerra@co.jim-wells.tx.us, office at 601 E. Main St., Ste. 150, Alice, TX 78322. ([jimwellscountyelections.gov](jimwellscountyelections.gov/all-official-notices/))

How to use the elections notices: download the sample ballot for your precinct before you vote, check the All Notices list for post-election cumulative results labeled “final after canvass” to confirm official totals, and use the elections office contact above for questions about early voting, absentee ballots, or polling-place accessibility. ([jimwellscountyelections.gov](jimwellscountyelections.gov/all-official-notices/))

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension: who to call for agriculture, 4‑H, and family programs

The county’s AgriLife Extension office is based at the courthouse annex in Alice and is the local contact for agricultural and natural-resources advice, 4‑H youth programming, and family and community health workshops. Rogelio Mercado is listed as County Extension Agent–ANR; the office phone is 361-668-5705 (press 7), fax 361-668-2802, mailing P.O. Box 1370, Alice, TX 78333-1370, and the physical office is 200 N. Almond Street, Ste. B-110, Alice, TX 78332. The posted office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. For producers with pasture or livestock questions, start with the agent listed above and ask about extension-led demonstrations or technical assistance programs. ([co.jim-wells.tx.us](co.jim-wells.tx.us/page/co.agrilife.extension))

• Tip: if you are a rancher or small producer seeking grant or demonstration support, mention local extension projects when you call; agents such as Rogelio Mercado often coordinate field days and grant-supported demonstrations.

Commissioners Court agendas, minutes, and public meetings

The county now publishes Commissioners Court agendas and minutes through a Granicus-powered Minutes & Agendas portal, which consolidates agenda packets, meeting video, and searchable archives in one place. That change makes it easier to find agenda packets, watch recorded meetings, and check when items affecting roads, budgets, or permits appear on the court calendar. The county’s new Granicus portal includes recent Commissioner's Court agenda dates and downloadable packets, and the county also posts meeting videos on its YouTube channel. ([co.jim-wells.tx.us](co.jim-wells.tx.us/page/co.agendas))

Tax, vehicle registration, and common county tasks

For property tax questions and vehicle title/registration services head to the Tax Assessor-Collector’s office: Mary C. Lozano serves as Tax Assessor-Collector and the office is located at 601 E. Main St., Ste. 175, Alice, TX 78332 with phone 361-668-5720, fax 361-668-5754, and email taxassessor-collector@co.jim-wells.tx.us. The county tax office partners with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles to provide registration renewals, title transfers, and other motor-vehicle services; check office hours or DMV substation schedules before you go. ([comptroller.texas.gov](comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/county-directory/jimwells.php))

Practical, task-oriented scenarios

How to check if someone is in custody

How to find your ballot and final results

Who to call for agriculture, youth programs, or nutrition workshops

Additional practical notes and gaps you should expect

Many county web pages provide business-hour contact information and publications, but official pages do not always summarize after-hours procedures for specific services; for emergencies always call 911 and for non-emergencies use the sheriff’s recorded line at 361-668-0341. For records requests such as court dockets or property documents, contact the County Clerk or the Tax Assessor-Collector during normal business hours; Commissioners Court agendas and minutes are now accessible via the Granicus portal for advance review. ([co.jim-wells.tx.us](co.jim-wells.tx.us/page/co.county.sheriff))

Where to keep these details handy

• Save the sheriff non-emergency number: 361-668-0341.
• Save the elections office contact: Richard Guerra, 361-668-5711, 601 E. Main St., Ste. 150, Alice.
• Save the AgriLife line: 361-668-5705 (press 7) and the physical address at 200 N. Almond St., Ste. B-110.
• Keep the Tax Assessor-Collector office number 361-668-5720 for vehicle registration or title questions. ([jimwellscounty-tx.gov](jimwellscounty-tx.gov))

Final point: for daily-life issues — checking a jail roster, confirming a polling place, transferring a title, or getting an AgriLife consultation — use the named offices and phone numbers above as the fastest routes to action, and rely on the county’s published documents for official totals and schedules. The county’s move to a Granicus agendas portal and the regular posting of election canvass materials means many decisions and results are now easier to verify online before you call or visit. ([jimwellscountytx.granicus.com](jimwellscountytx.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php))