[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6661801,"mediaKeyId","2405798-2d74380cef51deec76160d21493d32b4","parentId",2405798,"title","Commissioners approve bridge grant, drainage reviews, FEMA study application and asphalt-reclamation equipment","audioSeconds",598,"startMs",5648000,"endMs",6246000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2405798-2d74380cef51deec76160d21493d32b4&start=5648&end=6246","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2405798-2d74380cef51deec76160d21493d32b4/thumbnail_5648000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6661801/Grimes-County/Texas/Commissioners-approve-bridge-grant-drainage-reviews-FEMA-study-application-and-asphalt-reclamation-equipment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6661801-79bd5889cce5c0d91b026c99097854a5/orig.mp4?Expires=1775489867&Signature=JgQwq8PV7ZuQTVX6cXsRNQi5YF0azk42uDRylCKALFEAyV4gbR-qNIP23lvNxRMfVFUDNIY~VaO7vKKInAHxrWocSozsmPeWlheIsDHljCJLe3ushnDaR8t7T-1oy2cUS7hNV1jRHaQ9BWqF91aUTLREpWi9Xo2F37tL8es2FgdsnrTJLG6ylzVjgIqjm1a08-xGjHHsi4J5uFF5xSO-mE~-Rai1xbv9scULUiVeJm~JksujgIuBof6fDygn4MeUa3ZY~1ixzleA~gDz3XrDZPOzuSh39sU3b6Mg-20ofYJFo2-tBFoaAWAUgKcQT0CONz5cWpKVplO7CBB5l0eZ9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Grimes County Texas","date","2025-02-26T08:59:00Z","article","Grimes County Commissioners on Feb. 26 approved a package of road, bridge and stormwater measures intended to support long-term county infrastructure and development oversight.

The court accepted a Texas Department of Agriculture Community Development Block Grant award of $500,000 to reconstruct a Brozig Avenue bridge over Cedar Creek in Navasota and approved the county’s $75,000 local match to be funded from the Road & Bridge fund balance. County staff said the project would extend the bridge’s useful life by more than 50 years and improves public safety for a structure in Precinct 3.

The court also approved a professional services agreement with Half Associates Inc. for drainage plan reviews for private development and subdivision projects, and adopted an updated fee schedule to include drainage impact analysis and reviews for Letters of Map Revision (LOMR/CL-O-MR) and related work. County staff said consultant fees will be set by the county and that the county will assign reviews to the consultant rather than hiring a larger internal permitting staff.

Separately, commissioners authorized the county engineer to submit a FEMA Flood Mitigation Assistance application for $448,194.60, which would require a $49,799.40 local match if the grant is awarded. Road & Bridge officials said the application is for a countywide flood mitigation study and that any required local match would be considered during the FY2026 budget process.

To support road maintenance work, the court approved purchase of a 720XI Asphalt Zipper through a cooperative purchasing program; county staff said the reclamation machine can reclaim and stabilize existing subgrade and surface material and potentially reduce road construction costs by about 35%.

The court also received the draft 2025 Grimes County Mobility Plan for review; county staff said they would return in March to request formal adoption after incorporating public comments.

Why it matters: The combination of grant funds, professional plan-review capacity, equipment purchases and an updated mobility plan are aimed at improving long-term infrastructure resilience and accommodating anticipated development across the county.

Votes and motions: The Brozig Avenue CDBG grant agreement passed after a motion and second; the Half Associates agreement, fee schedule updates, FEMA grant application and asphalt zipper purchase also passed. Several items were discussed for funding source details and audit review; commissioners asked staff to reconcile fund-balance effects and to time capital purchases to preserve reserves.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Grimes County Texas - Commissioners Court Regular Meeting - Feb 26, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioners on Feb. 26 approved a $500,000 state CDBG grant for the Brozig Avenue bridge in Navasota and took a series of road, drainage and capital-equipment actions aimed at long-term county infrastructure needs.","taxTitle","Grimes County, Texas","taxId",64327,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6661805,"Grimes County approves participation in federal 1033 program and accepts MRAP; approves pay for patrol lieutenant's unused holiday hours",141,3804000,3945000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2405798-2d74380cef51deec76160d21493d32b4&start=3804&end=3945","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2405798-2d74380cef51deec76160d21493d32b4/thumbnail_3804000.jpg","/articles/6661805/Grimes-County/Texas/Grimes-County-approves-participation-in-federal-1033-program-and-accepts-MRAP-approves-pay-for-patrol-lieutenants-unused-holiday-hours","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6661805-2d38d4de17c1c7f497f569b80334440b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775489867&Signature=C8YjxSIRfjTSd2rIPj17Ga4eowMjWvyTFCj6hvTd0JOYItClQ-CfFqA3qlcFJZEpzyfFGqsXOWcqGI6p5SynQ6DN98-sqhSB9gDNfUxdeoQdfL8dTFD0CKhzqiKT~bmONakDEOu~MtXf394JzQRx8~8I4CmTpzPT~YQT5G-iPCX4rND9UOZfbCEX5xe-30d69SR1rDg5MyoADw5YsSxEFQR00-goN3k7dm14rD9jbwsSHtVYSJjaKWgA7f~1l1L1BuSYwPJt5da3quD1YEoQKV2P64mGUcwwV1GqHm-J1BiBELjL-wkZHL-O~852NXObNGIk6GUe22C7z1SU9KgXeg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Grimes County Commissioners Court on Feb. 26 voted to authorize the Grimes County Sheriff’s Office to participate in the Texas 10.33 program and accepted an MRAP vehicle the department acquired through that program.

Chief Deputy Martha Smith of the Grimes County Sheriff’s Office told the court the agency went through the application process beginning in October 2024 and was approved. The vehicle — described by the sheriff’s office as a mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicle suited for high-threat or complex rescue operations — was obtained from McLennan County. Smith said the department will be responsible for maintenance while it is in the county’s custody and noted the vehicle could be used for water rescues, hostage or barricade events and similar emergencies.

County Attorney Megan Barczyk confirmed the court needed to accept the vehicle formally because the county bears maintenance responsibility.

The court also approved a separate request from the sheriff’s office to pay 28 hours of unused holiday time to Patrol Lieutenant Brockett at his pre-promotion (sergeant) rate. Chief Deputy Smith explained that when Brockett moved from a 12-hour to an 8-hour schedule as part of a promotion, his holiday-observation rules changed; he had 28 holiday hours remaining that were not used and would be lost without payout.

Why it matters: Acceptance of surplus military-style vehicles and the county’s maintenance responsibilities were discussed before the vote, and commissioners recorded formal approval that transfers care responsibility for the vehicle to the county. The lieutenant pay decision affects the sheriff’s department payroll and was funded from department hourly line items as authorized by the court.

Court action and votes: The court voted to approve participation in the Texas 10.33 program and to accept and authorize possession/maintenance of the MRAP. The court then approved payment of the lieutenant’s 28 unused holiday hours to be funded from sheriff department budgets. Commissioners voted unanimously on the motions.

Officials and participants: Chief Deputy Martha Smith presented the 10.33 approval and MRAP acceptance; County Attorney Megan Barczyk advised on legal acceptance language. The motions were moved and seconded and passed by an affirmative vote of the full court.","The Grimes County Commissioners Court voted to allow the sheriff’s office to participate in the federal 10 U.S.C. § 2576a (commonly called the 1033/10.33 program) program, accepted a mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicle (MRAP) acquired through the program and approved payment for unused holiday hours for a patrol lieutenant.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6661789,"Navasota Elks introduce Drug Awareness Program to court and request funding to expand school outreach",200,2126000,2326000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2405798-2d74380cef51deec76160d21493d32b4&start=2126&end=2326","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2405798-2d74380cef51deec76160d21493d32b4/thumbnail_2126000.jpg","/articles/6661789/Grimes-County/Texas/Navasota-Elks-introduce-Drug-Awareness-Program-to-court-and-request-funding-to-expand-school-outreach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6661789-94e604e7f8a266b9c08a7b57177105e4/orig.mp4?Expires=1775489867&Signature=nxZ9DGHiBxCT2GCoOKTKW9XUInEoTTcqaBPj6gCQLSGcY44G99fy3xvcw-Uv5dQaYy4V-0e3WNLV5efOBP1uF3Mw13W~i3zwf636S7nUB4F43T5fLRNWlBqtBRdNBRozDUs29xNPbZWtalZsQhRw2cChvQjrWTFtSyqn3oH48dsl7zKRRVJw4OMuUxJwmYhWG50RiczhRGIvAKrprqDMHcNwp3CluLvSzkunEZrri3dGfEYdAizTz4ObkXvFstcDsPIwu4UeaUp0LyKWB6RSqTiQadXFPWkuy6Ao0kAh1~WlIQq8VV3Zf8VHa44P5S9ryPyy2CCirUiWiwOZWFiedg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives of the Navasota Elks Lodge No. 2888 described the Elks' Drug Awareness Program (DAP) to the Grimes County Commissioners Court on Feb. 26 and requested financial support to provide materials and programming for local school districts.

Nancy Vedado, secretary of the Navasota Elks Lodge, said the lodge was established locally about two years ago and that the DAP offers educational materials, cartoons and classroom content that the lodge would like to distribute to students, teachers, parents and police officers across the county. Vedado provided a cost list and a schools list to the court and asked commissioners to consider helping pay to make the information available to area ISDs.

Commissioner David Tullis and others supported the presentation and noted the program has national materials and a mascot, Elroy the Elk, that enhances student engagement. Vedado said the Elks aim to ensure teachers and first responders have program materials and recommended the court consider how to fund distribution to county schools.

Why it matters: The Elks requested county assistance to expand prevention programming to local schools and parents. Commissioners did not vote on funding at the meeting but were presented with materials and cost estimates to consider.

No formal vote was recorded on funding during the meeting; Elks representatives said more information is available at elks.org and that the lodge will work with county schools and staff to coordinate delivery if funding is approved.","Representatives of the newly formed Navasota Elks Lodge presented the National Elks Association Drug Awareness Program and requested county financial help to distribute materials and expand outreach across local school districts.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6661794,"Zoey's Animal Rescue describes countywide volunteer rescue work and asks court to consider support",940,2606000,3546000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2405798-2d74380cef51deec76160d21493d32b4&start=2606&end=3546","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2405798-2d74380cef51deec76160d21493d32b4/thumbnail_2606000.jpg","/articles/6661794/Grimes-County/Texas/Zoeys-Animal-Rescue-describes-countywide-volunteer-rescue-work-and-asks-court-to-consider-support","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6661794-1d4cae1836de5ae2f1d0fcecc93f4bf3/orig.mp4?Expires=1775489867&Signature=hY6RRPZRdBZkggN2HZHpOFRluuYbS4VhxZjW1W6znRyDEbDJwatO6sTC75ko-1OJ92gBYa4-3T8j82JhocpWXYxr0jnO~YKtF1735bzvoI1smNSsVbIHo9S418Slcrpa~vzsymUIbOYfu9SrB6hESnxVcDnO~7D0yt4Tbz0ZV7-CoNMKpNDBadWM-C4C-pk4BKFRFDPY9dnGzCItX3Atnw6my2oh0VQn~NM0ApAzFga9hWskY6x7RaNC9YWH-6pizZ9Oqoa3wahT5ZWV3pPEAAp92szKqR0OSMC6w86D8e6EbWfOHwDH421p0Lcsbd-y9s-m1arR0EPjYS5ATFmcYw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives of Zoey's Animal Rescue told the Grimes County Commissioners Court on Feb. 26 that the volunteer, foster-based rescue has been operating in the county for about 13 years and routinely responds to reports of dumped, abandoned and injured animals.

Co-founder Mike Stellas described rescues in multiple precincts, including rescues from culverts, trailer parks and foreclosed properties, and said the group relies entirely on volunteers and donations to fund veterinary care and foster placements. Stellas said donations primarily fund veterinary treatment and feeding; volunteers supply foster homes and transportation to adoption events.

Commissioner David Tullis and others praised Zoey’s work and urged residents and commissioners to consider volunteer and financial support. Stellas requested that the court and audience consider support for spay/neuter programs and other measures to reduce the county’s abandoned-animal problem.

Why it matters: County officials and residents were shown the scale of volunteer rescue efforts and the strain on volunteer-based operations. The presentation emphasized the need for spay/neuter capacity, volunteer recruitment and funding to reduce future animal welfare calls and associated costs to the county’s public-safety responders.

No formal court action was taken; the court accepted the presentation and invited supporters to stand and be recognized.","Volunteers from Zoey's Animal Rescue described more than a decade of rescue activity across Grimes County, detailed response examples and asked for county recognition and possible support for spay/neuter and veterinary care costs.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6661798,"Navasota–Grimes Chamber outlines 2024 achievements and 2025 priorities, including childcare conference and economic development projects",988,542000,1530000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2405798-2d74380cef51deec76160d21493d32b4&start=542&end=1530","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2405798-2d74380cef51deec76160d21493d32b4/thumbnail_542000.jpg","/articles/6661798/Grimes-County/Texas/NavasotaGrimes-Chamber-outlines-2024-achievements-and-2025-priorities-including-childcare-conference-and-economic-development-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6661798-3a3997cf70abad2297d57f890595a150/orig.mp4?Expires=1775489867&Signature=J2tDopKbq2FP3ZMa7B4lHvXULBA-WvVoRNfoDIFMaxBpH9AmPLAjW8BjCxCLZgVU3xpeT1BYKKZ9n8ye3ccX3lTxsI2K9faRAfaS3kpP0zFJyjOzFuwgcjrBtCIpZOWUdI3ephKZ-LraaKa4fTyxJGKbalBCy9EZL29KClf2xeUVIqcJ4uBSgJCtyTGzn8WB9rs-AaIzz6xZbebyGlpLi2y9-UsBFUtrXj9ic6etTVECmQC00x2u8OnalylSdg3PNcQ1Ya7oOX5zfWhNj1-VOr4S8SBadpGKrbyEmJqrU7CNHeGAFkOiO1qdzbA5HEVZ1DHbd2nhHvcr1L4w6oGDrA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lucy Abada, executive director of the Navasota–Grimes County Chamber of Commerce, presented a year-end recap for 2024 and a first-quarter update for 2025 to the Grimes County Commissioners Court on Feb. 26.

Abada told the court the chamber retained a membership base and added 11 new members in recent weeks. Highlights from 2024 included the chamber’s first economic development internship that produced published articles, expansion of the Chamber Ambassador program to about 25 volunteers and higher event attendance countywide. Abada said large events drew more than 1,400 attendees in 2024 and the chamber hosted regular programming including \"lunch and learns,\" after-hours events and ribbon cuttings.

For 2025, Abada described three development project proposals the chamber submitted — one in the Navasota Industrial Circle and two focused near Iola and Bedias — with workforce- and production-oriented employers under consideration. She said she was coordinating with commissioners about those sites and with state contacts to clarify requirements.

Abada said the chamber applied for a grant (with Entergy as a potential funder) to hold Grimes County’s first childcare education conference to provide continuing education units for childcare providers locally. She also described a PACE Loan webinar the chamber will invite the court to consider, and plans to rebuild and maintain the chamber’s website with area vendors.

Why it matters: The chamber’s efforts aim to support local business recruitment, workforce development and retention of services — particularly childcare — so local employees and employers spend less time traveling outside the county for training and services.

No formal court action was required for the presentation; commissioners thanked the chamber and asked staff to follow up on project-specific details and potential county collaboration on childcare and workforce topics.","The Navasota–Grimes County Chamber of Commerce reported membership gains, internships, countywide events and early-stage economic development projects for 2024 and said it plans a childcare education conference and other initiatives in 2025.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners approve bridge grant, drainage reviews, FEMA study application and asphalt-reclamation equipment

Grimes County approves participation in federal 1033 program and accepts MRAP; approves pay for patrol lieutenant's unused holiday hours

Navasota Elks introduce Drug Awareness Program to court and request funding to expand school outreach

Zoey's Animal Rescue describes countywide volunteer rescue work and asks court to consider support

Navasota–Grimes Chamber outlines 2024 achievements and 2025 priorities, including childcare conference and economic development projects