Hardin County holds workshop on Community Wildfire Defense Grant; discusses equipment, hiring and five-year timeline

Hardin County Commissioners Court held a workshop on a potential Community Wildfire Defense Grant (CWDG) application with James Moore of the Southeast Texas Regional Planning Commission, exploring use of a Jasper County grant template, eligible equipment and staffing options.

The workshop focused on the five-year CWDG structure, procurement and allowable uses. Moore said the county could base its application on Jasper County’s plan: “What we’re gonna do is follow Jasper County’s plan. They seem to have the dollar amount pretty close to the mark,” he said. Moore and other presenters discussed purchasing vegetation-management equipment, hiring part-time supervisors and ground crews, and including maintenance and fuel in the grant budget.

Why it matters: commissioners said the grant could fund equipment and operations to clear county right-of-ways, reduce fuels near homes and improve emergency egress — work county officials said would make responses to storms and wildfires more effective.

Details from the workshop

Presenters emphasized that the grant is reimbursable and tied to federal and state processes. Moore explained that the grant funding flows from the U.S. Forest Service through the Texas A&M Forest Service in many cases and that local jurisdictions will often pay costs up front and seek reimbursement. “It is allowable,” Moore said in response to a procurement question, adding that counties should lock in budgets in the application to minimize later changes.

Speakers discussed equipment types and procurement logistics. Participants described “mantis” mowers and tracked equipment as options for clearing roadside vegetation; Moore said the grant can cover routine maintenance, fuel and parts. He recommended researching vendors and lining up bids in advance so procurement steps comply with federal rules (the presenters referenced 2 CFR procurement requirements during the discussion).

On staffing, Moore and others said the county could hire part-time supervisors and ground crews to avoid increased county benefit costs. Moore said the grant period is five years from award notification: “It’s a 5 year grant. Clock starts as soon as they give you the award.”

Jasper County experience cited

Judge Mark Allen and Billy Ted Smith (presenters from Jasper County) described Jasper County’s award and early procurement. Allen said Jasper County was awarded about $9.8 million for on-the-ground activities and an additional roughly $250,000 for planning and public education, intended to mitigate about 1,000 acres as part of that county’s proposal. He said Jasper County began procuring equipment after its award and is still in early stages of putting crews and procedures in place.

Questions raised and next steps

Commissioners and staff asked about eligible items (trailers, mowers, haulers, grinders and some specialty equipment), disposal of removed material, whether private contractors may be used for tree removal, and whether equipment must be retained or may be sold after the grant period. Presenters said maintenance and some disposal costs can be included, disposal rules vary by material, and counties typically own purchased equipment after the grant period; disposal or auctioning after useful life is possible but may require reporting.

Presenters urged commissioners to decide what each precinct needs, consider shared trailers or trucks to move equipment between precincts, and to get procurement bids ready to avoid delays. They said lead times for specialized equipment can be several weeks and recommended ordering early if awarded funds are expected.

The court agreed to continue work and return to the topic at the Jan. 28 meeting to finalize parameters for the county’s application. Moore said he hopes to submit the county’s application in mid-February ahead of a Feb. 28 deadline.

Ending

County staff will compile precinct equipment wish lists and bring a more detailed draft to the Jan. 28 meeting ahead of the planned submission. Presenters encouraged commissioners to join regional webcalls with Texas A&M Forest Service and the U.S. Forest Service to follow evolving guidance and coordination.