Kerr County approves interlocal agreement with UGRA and accepts expedited TWDB funds to start flood‑warning siren program
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Summary
Kerr County Commissioners unanimously approved an interlocal agreement with the Upper Guadalupe River Authority, a project agreement, and a resolution to accept an initial Texas Water Development Board grant (up to $1,000,000 plus $250,000 possible) to begin an outdoor siren‑based flood warning system; UGRA will issue an RFP for grant management and an engineer to oversee implementation.
Kerrville, Texas — Kerr County’s Commissioners Court voted unanimously Jan. 12 to enter into an interlocal agreement with the Upper Guadalupe River Authority and to accept expedited grant funds from the Texas Water Development Board to begin installing an outdoor flood‑warning siren system.
The court approved three linked items: the ILA to coordinate county‑level administration with UGRA, a project agreement that defines the scope for the Water Development Board grant, and a resolution authorizing the county judge to accept initial funds and sign the grant agreement. Tara Bushno of UGRA described the immediate focus as developing a siren system and the project plan required by the Water Development Board.
Why it matters: The funds are part of an expedited allocation announced after the July flooding. The executive administrator’s process automatically makes up to $1,000,000 available to each designated disaster county; an additional $250,000 may be released under administrator authority. County leaders said that seed money is necessary to hire engineers, procure equipment and begin installation in high‑priority locations such as the North Fork and South Fork reaches and the City of Ingram’s hearing distance.
How officials say the program will work: UGRA will put out a request for qualifications for an engineer to manage design and procurement; UGRA’s RFP for grant management services (ratified by the court) will be reviewed by a blind committee and return recommendations to the UGRA board. Bushno said a website with interactive project maps and PDFs of programmed projects is available and that public comments on priorities must be postmarked or received by April 10, 2026.
Local context and next steps: County leaders and UGRA staff said the first phase will not complete the entire system but is intended to place sirens and sensors in critical locations and to create an operational framework. Officials noted that some sensors or sirens already exist on nearby properties or in adjacent counties and that coordination with neighbors is required. UGRA plans to return with recommendations from its RFQ/RFP processes and to post its board decisions publicly.
Quote: "This really continues our partnership between UGRA and Kerr County, to make significant advances on the flood warning system for our community," Tara Bushno said.
The court approved the ILA, project agreement and resolution unanimously and ratified UGRA’s RFP for grant management services as presented. The judge and UGRA staff said they will pursue additional funds as needed and that the initial grants will flow to the county for administration.