Comal County court approves USTA letter of inquiry, makes funding contingent on grant

Comal County Commissioners on Nov. 6 approved submitting a United States Tennis Association (USTA) letter of inquiry to seek reimbursement grant funding for two additional tennis courts at Joe Mowat Sports Park, and amended the approval so county funding would be contingent on actually receiving the USTA grant.

County staff described the project as an addition of two courts to an existing six-court facility. "In the 2026 budget, we had $385,000 that was budgeted for these 2 courts ... Engineering was $23,000 — that's how we got to the $385,000 that we budgeted in 2026," staff said during the presentation. The staff presentation gave construction and lighting estimates used for budgeting: construction estimated at about $361,000, engineering $23,000, and lighting estimated at roughly $180,000. The county advised the USTA program is reimbursable, meaning the county must pay costs up front and then seek reimbursement if the grant is awarded.

Why it matters: The court had budgeted for two courts without lights. If the county adds lights at the same time, the additional cost would exceed the current budget and likely require a 2026 budget amendment. The USTA national venue program provides up to $35,000 per court (two courts would total up to $70,000), and the USTA Texas section could provide an additional estimated $15,000–$20,000, producing a maximum combined grant of roughly $90,000 for the two courts. Based on the staff presentation, the county’s additional exposure after maximum grant awards would be in the neighborhood of $90,000–$91,000, and would require moving contingency funds in 2026.

Discussion and safeguard added by court: Commissioners asked about the risk of not receiving the grant and where the upfront money would come from. Staff confirmed the county would need to provide funds up front from general fund contingency. Commissioner Webb moved an amendment to make construction contingent on receiving grant funding from the USTA; Commissioner Leacotte seconded the amendment. After debate the court adopted the amendment. The court then approved submitting the USTA letter of inquiry and pursuing the grant application with a condition that construction requiring additional county funds would not proceed unless the grant was awarded.

What the order requires next: If the USTA approves the inquiry, staff said the USTA would provide a formal grant application. The county would submit the grant application and return to the commissioners’ court for any required contract or budget action prior to building. Staff emphasized the USTA program is reimbursement-based and that the county will bid the work to obtain firm construction and lighting costs before any contract or expenditure is made.

Clarifying details

- Budgeted in 2026: $385,000 for two courts without lights (staff estimate: $361,000 construction + $23,000 engineering). - Estimated additional cost for lights: ~$180,000 (estimate used for planning, not a bid price). - Maximum USTA national grant: $35,000 per court (two courts = $70,000). - Estimated USTA Texas section contribution: $15,000–$20,000 (two courts combined estimate). - Maximum combined grant estimate (national + Texas section): ~ $90,000; county’s additional estimated cost if grants awarded: roughly $90,000–$91,000.

Speakers (attributed in text)

- Mr. Boyd — Staff member (presenter) - Commissioner Webb — Commissioner (moved amendment) - Commissioner Crownover — Commissioner (initial motion) - Commissioner Leacotte — Commissioner (seconded motions)

Authorities

- USTA venue services (grant program) — referenced by staff as the source of possible reimbursable funding.

Actions

- Motion: Approve submission of USTA letter of inquiry for two tennis courts at Joe Mowat Sports Park; mover: Commissioner Crownover; second: Commissioner Leacotte; outcome: approved as amended to make county funding contingent on receipt of grant funds.

Provenance

- topicintro: transcript block starting at 00:09:43: "Good morning, judge and commissioners. I wanna go through, this item. So the letter of inquiry is submitted to, USTA and it's an, just an overall view of what the project is." (block 583.87) - topfinish: transcript block starting at 00:21:54: "I'll do item 10 as well." (block 1314.96)

Searchable_tags:["parks","USTA","grants","Joe Mowat Sports Park","capital budget"]