County grant writer says CDBG unlikely this cycle; seeks interlocal agreements for waterline projects

Dave Capula, the county grant writer, told the Coffee County Health, Welfare and Recreation Committee on Jan. 21 that a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for waterline extensions is unlikely in the current funding cycle because the county does not own the waterlines that would be improved.

Capula said he spoke with state officials and learned “it is too late for this cycle, because the county does not own any of the water lines.” He told the committee the county would need written agreements with the municipalities that own the lines — including the city of Manchester and the West Warren water utility — before the state would accept a county-led application. “We would have to have an agreement in writing,” Capula said.

The grant writer also said the CDBG application would require pre‑application studies, including surveys and water-quality testing for the sections of line to be extended. He told the committee those studies likely could not be completed before the current grant deadline. “Those water qualities and so forth would probably take too much time to get those in place before the deadlines,” he said.

Capula said not all water-related grants carry the same requirements and that he will continue researching other grant opportunities. He cited broad dollar ranges he’s seen for other programs, saying some awards can be “up to $1,000,000” and that some equipment-style projects may run around “$420,000,” but he did not provide formal program names tied to those amounts.

Committee members asked whether the city of Manchester or West Warren could apply on their own; Capula said they could if they already have the required studies in place. He recommended that the county pursue interlocal agreement templates that could be used with multiple entities so a single agreement would cover several municipalities or service providers.

Manchester’s mayor and Mayor Hobbs of West Warren were named in discussion as local officials Capula planned to contact for those agreements. Capula said he would speak with both mayors and with TDEC (the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation) to clarify what surveys and tests would be needed and whether a match requirement exists for this grant cycle.

Committee members encouraged urgent follow-up; Capula said he would continue researching other funding sources and return to the committee with more details.

The committee did not take a formal vote on pursuing a particular grant at the meeting; members directed staff to gather the information needed for future applications.