Brookshire council approves design contract and combines grant, city funds for Briar Brook drainage project

Brookshire, Texas — The Brookshire City Council on Jan. 8 approved using recently recovered disaster reimbursement funds together with budgeted FY26 city funds to finance drainage improvements in the Briar Brook subdivision and authorized a contract for engineering services.

The council said it located roughly $118,000 in previously unclaimed or appealed disaster reimbursement money tied to past storm cleanup and, combined with funds already budgeted for FY26, moved to fund a design and bid phase for the drainage project. Mayor Richards explained the ditch behind the subdivision has caused water to back up into properties and that the project will reduce flooding risk for residents.

Grant and project background: council and staff noted a 2016 federal disaster declaration and subsequent reimbursement process. Staff reported an initial reimbursement approval of about $48,000 and a later appeal that added additional funds, with documents showing a larger reimbursement that staff proposed to combine with city money to reach the project budget.

Engineering contract: the council approved a proposal from LJA to perform survey work, design, bidding and construction management services. Staff referenced two figures during discussion — a $99,000 figure listed in the explanatory materials and a motion that recorded approval of $99,950 for the LJA proposal; the council voted to approve the engineering services motion as presented.

What the contract covers: staff said the LJA scope includes survey, design phase, bid administration, construction management and reproductions. Councilmembers emphasized that the $99,950 covers the design/engineering phase only and that the city will return to the council to award construction contracts after bidding and cost estimates are received.

Next steps: staff said GrantWorks and the Texas General Land Office must complete a formal amendment to cover the revised project area before the work is advertised. Council directed staff to proceed with the amendment and to return with bid results and any required procurement steps.

Questions and caveats: during discussion the finance director and grant administrator emphasized that grant paperwork must be closed out and that additional approvals by grant administrators will be needed for construction‑phase funding. The council did not authorize construction contracts at the Jan. 8 meeting.

The council approved the motions and will bring back contract award recommendations following the bidding process.