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Liberty County tables Whole Freshwater well contract pending written funding assurances
Summary
The court tabled approval for a water‑well contract for Whole Freshwater Supply District No. 1 after county officials asked for written confirmation that the district can provide its $558,625 share; district representative said she was pursuing multiple financing options including a 15‑year, 6% option and local 20‑year bank financing.
The Liberty County Commissioners Court on Nov. 26 tabled action on contracts tied to a proposed water‑well project for Whole Freshwater Supply District No. 1 after county members raised concerns about where the district’s share of financing would come from.
County staff described LJ Engineering’s recommendation to award the well project to J & S Water Wells and said county ARPA funds of $800,000 would be paired with a district responsibility of $558,625. The presiding officer and auditors pressed for certainty before the county commits its ARPA allocation, noting the county has a Dec. 31 deadline to designate remaining ARPA funds.
Cindy Birchfield, who identified herself as present on behalf of the district, said she had sought several financing options. “They offer 6% interest in a 15 year term,” she said of a federal nonprofit lender, and added that she preferred to explore local banks for a possible 20‑year term to lower annual payments and keep the dollars local. She told the court she could provide written assurances by the next court.
The court voted to table the award (items 12 and 13 on the agenda) and asked staff and the district to provide written confirmation of financing. County auditors emphasized that if district funding cannot be documented by the next court date, the county should reallocate ARPA funds to other approved uses.
The tabling preserves county discretion and avoids committing ARPA funds until the district’s financing plan is secured in writing.
