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Hardin County tables decision on Hurricane Safe Room contract pending state funding decision
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Summary
Hardin County commissioners on May 13 tabled action on issuing a notice to proceed and contract with NNT Construction for a Hurricane Safe Room, saying they await a funding decision from state mitigation officials and possible cost‑overrun approvals.
Hardin County Commissioners Court on May 13 voted to table action on a contract and notice to proceed for construction of a Hurricane Safe Room until the court’s June 10 meeting or earlier if state mitigation officials provide funding guidance.
The move came after Aaron Tupper, the county’s emergency management coordinator, told the court that officials are still waiting for a decision on a budget amendment request from the Texas Division of Emergency Management and FEMA. “Once a week on our weekly calls, they discuss this project,” Tupper said, adding that the county has received emails indicating cost‑overrun approvals have been more frequent lately but that approval for this project is not guaranteed.
The court’s action was a motion to table made by a commissioner and seconded by another; the motion passed without recorded opposition. Commissioners said they preferred to wait for an official answer rather than proceed and risk cost exposure. The court noted the contractor has not confirmed whether it will hold its bid, and Tupper said that if the contractor withdraws the bid the court could take the item up sooner.
Why it matters: the safe room project depends on external mitigation funding and any cost‑overrun approvals. If the state or FEMA declines additional funds, the county would need an alternate funding plan before authorizing construction. The court’s tabling preserves the county’s option to act quickly if new information arrives.
Discussion: commissioners reiterated a desire to avoid committing county funds before the mitigation agency issues a formal decision. Tupper summarized an email from Madison Norris and a contractor contact, Colin Riznick, noting that the agency “cannot guarantee that the cost overrun… will be approved,” though approvals have been increasing for similar projects. The court instructed staff to return the item June 10 unless state guidance is received earlier.
Next steps: the item is scheduled for the June 10 regular meeting; county staff will notify the court if TDEM or FEMA provides an approval or an ETA before that date.
