Commissioners advance $1.08M to keep Hurricane Safe Room construction moving amid federal reimbursement delays

Hardin County Commissioners on March 24 approved transferring $1,079,509 from the county’s general fund balance to the Hurricane Safe Room grant fund and authorized payouts 3 through 6 to the general contractor totaling $1,085,201.82 so construction can continue while federal reimbursements are delayed.

County officials told the court that FEMA and the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) reimbursements are experiencing delays tied to a federal government shutdown, which has left the contractor covering subcontractor payments. The Chair said the county expects reimbursement under existing grant agreements and stated, "we'll get reimbursed." Commissioners expressed concern about covering ongoing invoices if the contractor did not receive timely reimbursement.

Why it matters: the action prevents a pause in construction on a publicly funded safe room project by moving cash from county reserves to cover contractor invoices immediately. County staff said the first payout had arrived recently (roughly $230,000) but subsequent payments were pending and multiple past‑due invoices had accumulated.

Motion and next steps: a motion to transfer the funds and authorize the contractor payouts was made, seconded and approved. County staff will continue to submit reimbursement requests to FEMA/TDEM and the Texas General Land Office when federal systems reopen and will report receipt of reimbursements in future cash reports.