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City staff outlines major water grants and timelines, cites increased grant activity and in‑house savings
Summary
Staff presented a two‑year grants spreadsheet showing increased activity in 2024, claimed $30,000 in grant management savings from moving work in‑house, and described water project funding paths including a Clean Water board submission (Sept. 12), a drinking water SRF application and a rural water assistance fund invitation with an Oct. 21 full‑application deadline.
City staff presented a grants activity update showing increased applications and awards in 2024 and described several large water funding opportunities. Staff said the city applied for a Clean Water planning, acquisition and design project and that the application would go to the Texas Water Development Board (Clean Water funding board) on Sept. 12; if approved by that board, staff explained the council would consider a notice of intent and a certificates of obligation (CO) ordinance at its Sept. 24 meeting, with a CO sale date of Nov. 26 and closing roughly Dec. 20.
Staff reported the city applied for a Drinking Water State Revolving Fund project (about $2,755,000 in the transcript) to plan, design and construct a new well in the Trinity aquifer, replace leaking water lines, and install new booster pumps, variable frequency drives and a backup generator. According to staff, the project was moved into a rural water assistance fund list and the city received an invitation to submit a full application; the transcript records a 90% grant / 10% loan structure and an Oct. 21 deadline for the full application.
Staff also described internal changes to grant management. They said many 2024 grants were written in‑house and noted a reduction in third‑party grant management spending (from $40,000 in 2023 to $10,000 in 2024 in the transcript), which staff framed as approximately $30,000 in savings. The council discussed previous work by a grant firm identified in the transcript as Langford (also spelled Lankford/Langford in the discussion) and clarified that more technical grants would still be referred to outside specialists when necessary.
Council members asked about transportation grant opportunities tied to TxDOT and a sidewalk/transportation alternatives grant; the topic of Pete Dawson as a useful contact was raised. Staff did not request final authorization for borrowing or COs during the workshop; timelines and next steps were presented for future council consideration.
