Bowie council approves contract to pursue up to $300,000 GLO planning grant

The Bowie City Council on a unanimous vote approved Resolution 2024-11 to hire a professional services provider to pursue a planning grant through the Texas General Land Office (GLO). Dalton Aiken of Public Management, the consultant recommended by staff, told the council the grant can fund a comprehensive plan and a zoning ordinance update at no local match and that the city may request up to $300,000.

The contract award authorizes the consultant to assist with application and implementation, including public engagement, a housing survey and development of a capital improvement program (CIP). "This is about as free as money gets," Dalton Aiken said, describing options to include housing, land use, parks, historic elements and asset management in the plan. He said Pavlik and Associates would be used for survey and stakeholder interviews as part of outreach.

Council members asked about community involvement and the schedule for public meetings. Aiken said the process includes stakeholder meetings and at least one public outreach component; the consultant’s fee will be paid from grant funds and would be reduced if the state awarded less than the requested amount.

Why it matters: the grant could fund a citywide comprehensive plan update and a zoning ordinance revision without a required match, giving Bowie staff and elected officials a data-driven basis for future project prioritization and capital budgeting. The resolution directs staff to proceed with contract execution and grant application steps. The council approved the resolution in the meeting after Dalton’s presentation.