Aransas County approves interlocal agreement with Rockport, navigation district to begin Rockport Harbor stormwater work

The Aransas County Commissioners Court on April 2025 approved an interlocal cooperation agreement with the City of Rockport and the Aransas County Navigation District to begin engineering and planning for a stormwater drainage solution in and around Rockport Harbor, and authorized the county judge to execute necessary documents and county counsel to negotiate amendments.

County officials and navigation district representatives said the agreement is intended to start procurement for an engineer and to create design, approval and construction “stop points” that each party must approve before moving to the next phase. Tim Tuggie, attorney for the Navigation District, told the court the agreement includes three stopping points: engagement of an engineer, approval of the design and approval of the construction contract. “The first stopping point is … engaging the engineer to do the design. If you don't like that contract, you're not going to approve it. It's coming back to you immediately,” Tuggie said.

Why it matters: commissioners said the work could allow the city to connect Concho Street and reduce local flooding before hurricane season, but they pressed for clearer payment terms, procurement timing and protections for the county’s governmental immunity. Several commissioners recommended approving the agreement now to begin procurement while attorneys from the three entities work on amendments to clarify payment divisions, timelines and other procedural provisions.

Key mechanics and concerns: commissioners repeatedly raised two issues: (1) the agreement gives the engineer a 60‑day timeline to produce a design—some said that may be too short given TxDOT review requirements at a 30% milestone—and (2) the contract's payment and funding language needed clarification so county funds would not be committed without appropriate authorization. County staff said approval would immediately allow the county to start an RFQ/procurement for an engineer; staff recommended the county could start that procurement without waiting for final amendments but return the agreement for amendments before any final construction commitments.

Navigation District and City role: Navigation District Chairman Tom Moore and Commissioner Judy Vlasic, who led negotiations for the district, told the court the stormwater technical committee—made up of representatives from the city, county and navigation district—will lead technology selection and early technical vetting. “The reason the big reason that y’all are involved is we are 100% counting on the stormwater technical committee to lead this charge as designed,” Moore said. Navigation District counsel and staff also said the district will pursue funding, including upcoming meetings with the General Land Office, and that the agreement includes language allowing parties to amend responsibilities before final commitments.

Vote and next steps: A motion to approve the interlocal cooperation agreement and authorize the county judge to execute documents passed (recorded vote: four ayes; motion carries). County staff said they will begin the procurement process for an engineer immediately and that attorneys for the county, city and navigation district will work on amendments and return them to the court for approval as needed.

Provenance: The court first introduced this item when the judge proposed moving item 32 for early consideration; discussion and public comment began when the judge read the item into the record. The court returned to the item for detailed discussion among county staff, navigation district counsel and navigation district board members before taking a vote.