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Aransas County approves suite of engineering contracts and funding steps for countywide drainage and flood projects
Summary
The Aransas County Commissioners Court approved notices of award, contracts and a master drainage plan funded largely through GLO and federal hazard mitigation grants, moving multiple flood and drainage projects into the engineering and design phase.
The Aransas County Commissioners Court on a unanimous vote approved multiple engineering contracts and related grant steps to advance countywide drainage and flood‑mitigation work, including a master drainage plan and several design contracts funded through General Land Office (GLO) programs and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) subawards.
The court approved a notice of award and an executed professional services contract with Anchor QEA for Shell (Shoal) Ridge Road Flood Protection Phase 2 — a project funded by Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GO‑MESA) funds and supported by a FEMA/TDEM Hazard Mitigation Grant Program subaward (DR‑4332‑016). The court then approved the formal contract with Anchor QEA for engineering and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit extension work.
The court also approved professional engineering contracts with Hansen Professional Services Inc. for two Community Development Block Grant (CDBG‑DR/Mid‑Mod) projects — Fulton Street Improvements and the Lamar Drainage Project (grant contract 24‑065‑128‑E986). In addition, the court approved a $1,798,387 contract with Peyton Dawson Engineers to create an Aransas County Master Drainage Plan under the same GLO/Mid‑Mod program.
Commissioners and staff described the master plan as a countywide hydraulic and hydrologic (H&H) study that will identify and prioritize capital projects, produce cost estimates and recommend funding options and regional stormwater criteria for the county and participating jurisdictions. Staff said the plan will include public outreach (four public meetings, one per precinct plus city/agency representation) and that the first public meetings are planned for this fall.
The court also approved Change Order No. 6 — a 14‑day time extension — for LC LCR Total Transport LLC on the South West Aransas County Drainage Improvements project (GLO CDBG‑DR contract 20‑065‑098‑C270). Staff said the change order extends the contract timeline to July 14 and does not increase the contract amount.
Why it matters: Commissioners said the package of work advances long‑standing drainage priorities, creates a prioritized capital improvement list for grant and CIP programming, and retains institutional knowledge by using firms familiar with earlier project phases. Several commissioners and staff emphasized outreach and clarity on notice procedures for residents in areas with PO boxes or limited mail delivery.
Discussion vs. action: The court’s votes approved notices of award, executed engineering contracts and a time extension. Staff answered technical and schedule questions and committed to standard county outreach (newspaper notices, social media, mailings as appropriate) for public meetings. No new local funding commitments were approved beyond those embedded in the GLO and HMGP grant contracts presented for execution.
Commissioners voting: Commissioner Cheney — Aye; Commissioner Castellan — Aye; Commissioner Russo — Aye; Commissioner Dupnik — Aye.
Sources and evidence: Motions, roll calls and contract dollar amounts and grant numbers were read aloud during the June meeting and appear in the court record.
