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Staff reports 11 grant efforts and $750k–$900k EPA technical support for Cottonwood Creek; 4 grants denied or defunded
Summary
City legislative-affairs staff updated council on work with Lone Star Consulting: 11 grant efforts totaling potential requests of about $30 million, four grants under review, one cyber-security grant awarded, four denied and two defunded; EPA technical-assistance for Cottonwood Creek flood mitigation estimated at $750k–$900k and begins March 2026.
The mayor and council received an update on the city's work with Lone Star Consulting, a contracted grant and lobbying firm, including the firm's role, recent application outcomes and pending earmarks.
Vonna, the city's legislative affairs officer, said Lone Star Consulting has supported the city since February 2024 and helps staff research grant opportunities, prepare and submit proposals, follow up with federal agencies and, when needed, assist with implementation. "So as of today, the cost of services is $149,500," Vonna said, adding the city paid $71,500 in 2024 and $78,000 in 2025.
Vonna reported the city is working on 11 grants with potential funding totaling about $30,000,000. Four grants are under review, one award has been received (a cybersecurity grant), four applications were denied and two were defunded. Vonna said the city secured EPA water technical-assistance engineering support (not a grant) for Cottonwood Creek flood mitigation, with an estimated value of $750,000 to $900,000, and the service will start in March 2026.
On earmarks (community project funding), Vonna said in 2024 the city submitted eight projects totaling more than $72 million; five were accepted into the federal budget and $17 million was allocated, but a government continuing resolution later stripped community-project funding and the money was not delivered. For 2025 the city submitted seven projects totaling about $16.9 million; three have been accepted, representing $7.7 million pending congressional budget actions. Vonna noted some earmarks are moving in Congress; she cited a Waterford lift station earmark for $1.7 million that has been approved by the Interior and Environment appropriations bill and is awaiting the president's signature.
Council members pressed staff for clarification. "What does 'accepted' mean?" the mayor pro tem asked. Vonna replied: "Accepted means that the congressional member has agreed to submit it as part of their bucket of money," and added that acceptance does not necessarily mean funds have been delivered by Congress.
Council members also asked about which federal department oversaw the cybersecurity grant and why some grants were defunded; Vonna said staff would follow up with that information. The presentation concluded with staff reiterating they would provide department and denial-reason details as requested.
No formal action was taken during the update; staff will return with follow-up information on specific grants and record-keeping details.
