Hardin County issues notice to proceed for hurricane safe room despite FEMA approval pending

Hardin County Commissioners Court voted Tuesday to issue a notice to proceed to N & T Construction for construction of a hurricane safe room, while officials said federal approval for a funding change request is still pending.

The court voted to issue the notice after emergency management coordinator Aaron Tupper told commissioners the federal change request that would fund a portion of the cost has been processed by the Texas Division of Emergency Management but remains with FEMA for final approval. "The change request has been filed...they're just waiting for FEMA to actually approve it," Tupper said.

The county has used American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for parts of the project, including cameras and access control, and officials said roughly $1 million of the total project has or will be paid from ARPA allocations. County officials cautioned that ARPA funds must be obligated and spent by the end of 2026 and that, if FEMA ultimately does not approve the change request, the county would have to identify alternative funding — likely requiring a later budget amendment or contingency reserves.

Commissioners and staff discussed the procurement and schedule implications. Tupper said N & T (also shown in records as NNT) remains willing to do the job but that the firm could withdraw if costs exceed its quote. Commissioners referenced a typical construction schedule of about 300 days for the chosen contractor. County staff estimated the full project approaching $6 million because of added systems such as cameras and access control; about $600,000 of the project was described as going to the contractor, with the remainder for other county-paid items.

County staff described the building as a multipurpose safe room: showers, laundry, kitchen, backup power, and provisions for water and days-long occupancy by first responders. Officials also said the building must be able to be stood up quickly as an emergency operations facility and that, under grant terms, roughly 80% of the space must be available to support emergency operations when needed. The design allows a second floor to be added later.

Despite the outstanding FEMA approval, the court approved the notice to proceed. The motion to issue the notice was made and seconded on the record and the court voted in favor; commissioners indicated they expect to return to the court for any required budget amendments if FEMA does not fund the cost increase.

What happens next: county staff will monitor FEMA and TDEM approvals and, if FEMA denies funding for the change request, the court will be asked to identify replacement funds or modify the project. Construction scheduling and contractor commitments remain contingent on final approvals and the contractor's sustained willingness to proceed.