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Blue Ridge taps SPI to lead $18 million Texas Water Development Board funding push
Summary
Council awarded an engineering professional services agreement to SPI to pursue funding from the Texas Water Development Board; council emphasized persistence in the TWDB process and asked WSB and SPI to cooperate on the application.
The Blue Ridge City Council voted to award a professional services agreement to SPI (engineering firm) to prepare and pursue an application to the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) that staff estimates could be as large as $18,000,000 for streets, water and sewer infrastructure.
Council members said the city needs multiple engineering capacities for the competitive TWDB process. A council speaker noted, "I'm asking for $18,000,000," and urged that the town stay active in TWDB's system even if an initial application is not funded, saying repeated presence and correct phrasing in applications increases future chances of award.
The nut graf: The award assigns SPI to lead a TWDB funding application and directs cooperation between SPI and the city's standing engineer WSB; the selected team will prepare application materials on an accelerated schedule because TWDB deadlines are approaching.
Council discussed SPI's experience with TWDB and the advantages of combining SPI's TWDB experience with WSB's local knowledge. A citizen in the audience asked for clarification about scope; staff said the award covers professional engineering services for the TWDB application only and does not by itself authorize construction or bond spending. Council approved the award by motion and second; the mayor called for a voice vote and the motion carried.
Ending: SPI will begin preparing the TWDB application and coordinate with WSB and city staff. The council emphasized that TWDB grants are competitive and that preparation and repeated presence in the application system are part of a long-term strategy.
