Jimmy Rowe, identifying himself as president of the South Limestone County Water Service Corporation, asked the Limestone County Commissioners Court to endorse and assist with grant applications to fix an aging water distribution system that serves roughly 600 members on the west side of Lake Limestone. "We are virtually shut down," Rowe said, adding the utility lacks the pressure and delivery infrastructure to serve new meters in a growing area.

The request focused on support for applications to state grant programs, including the Texas Department of Agriculture, to replace and extend distribution lines and add capacity. Rowe said the system has been in place more than 40 years and estimated the community will soon need "another 3 to 400 meters" to serve incoming residents. He asked the court for a formal endorsement when applications are submitted.

Commissioners asked staff to clarify whether county matching funds would be required and whether the utility would need to demonstrate county-level socioeconomic statistics for grant eligibility. County leaders said they were willing to help with application materials and demographic data but cautioned that any direct county spending would require later formal approval by the court and taxpayers.

County staff and Rowe described the problem as largely one of infrastructure distribution rather than lack of raw water: "We have plenty of water; we just don't have the infrastructure to deliver," Rowe said. Commissioners suggested the utility and county coordinate on the grant applications and share required metrics and affirmed preliminary support pending review of any requested county funding.

The court did not take a binding vote on county contributions at the meeting; commissioners signaled support and asked staff to work with the utility on application details and eligibility requirements. The next steps are for the utility to file the grant application and for county staff to provide requested demographic and collection-rate information to support the application.