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Montgomery County offers to apply for Safe Routes to School funding on behalf of Willis ISD
Summary
Montgomery County Deputy Chief of Staff Jason Smith briefed trustees on a federal Safe Routes to School grant program and offered the county as an eligible applicant to sponsor projects for Willis ISD, explaining typical federal matches and eligible infrastructure and non-infrastructure work.
Montgomery County staff told the Willis ISD board on Aug. 20 that the county can sponsor Safe Routes to School project applications on behalf of the district, because school districts are not eligible applicants under the current program rules.
Jason Smith, deputy chief of staff for Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough, described eligible activities under the federally funded Safe Routes to School and Surface Transportation Block Grant programs: sidewalks, bike paths, crosswalk upgrades, signal improvements, audible pedestrian buttons, traffic enforcement and outreach/education programs (the "6 E" framework: education, engineering, evaluation, encouragement, engagement and equity). Smith said the state’s allocation is large this cycle — an estimated $1.5 billion statewide — and HGAC and TxDOT share portions of the funds.
Smith explained that most federal grants require a local match (typically 20% of project cost) though some matches can be reduced in certain circumstances. He recommended districts consider planning and evaluation funding first (walkability studies, engineering design) because having plans and data increases competitiveness for later construction funding. He also said Montgomery County is preparing a countywide mobility study that will include Willis ISD and could identify opportunities for future projects.
Trustees asked about eligibility for roadway projects and maintenance responsibilities; county staff explained that roadway projects must meet federal functional classification requirements and that maintenance typically transfers to the roadway owner under interlocal agreements. Smith said Montgomery County is willing to apply on Willis ISD’s behalf if the district identifies projects it wants to pursue, and offered to meet with district staff to develop project proposals.
No board vote was required; the county representative said he will follow up with district officials to discuss next steps and potential priority projects.
