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County delays engineer selection for $750,000 Community Development grant; consultant urges quick action
Summary
Lavaca County scored high regionally for a Texas Community Development Grant estimated at $750,000; the court tabled selection of professional-service providers and was urged by consultant Tim Weatherby to choose an engineer before the April preliminary deadline.
Lavaca County Commissioners Court on Feb. 24 tabled a resolution that would authorize award of professional-service contracts needed to apply for and implement a Texas Community Development Grant Fund project, and a county consultant told the court the county is positioned to receive about $750,000.
Tim Weatherby of GrantWorks told the court that Lavaca County "scored the highest in this region" and that the grant funding is likely to be available for road projects. He explained the program requires identification of low-to-moderate-income project areas and that the county must pick an engineer to map and scope potential projects before the preliminary April submission.
"Low to moderate income is the key to this grant funding," Weatherby said, noting that in a rural county it can be difficult to identify qualifying block groups outside city limits. He said the county match on one scenario is 2 percent but that the county could provide a higher match for a larger project.
Commissioners said four engineers submitted qualifications and that three of the four are local firms; the court asked for additional reference checks before awarding contracts. The court voted to table the resolution and schedule further consideration, with a commissioner noting the April preliminary deadline is approaching.
No final contract awards were made at the meeting; court staff and GrantWorks will continue reference checks and may call a special meeting so the county can meet the grant timeline.
