The Webb County Purchasing Board of district judges and the county judge appointed Eloy Ramirez to head the Purchasing Department in 1988.

The chief purchasing agent and his assistants act as buyers of all county materials, supplies, capital equipment and services. All requisitions are routed through the county judge's office and must be authorized by the commissioner's court if the amount of the purchase exceeds $5,000. The chief purchasing agent also coordinates all capital projects involving community development block grants obtained through the Department of Commerce and South Texas Development Council for street paving of rural areas.