Hardin County OKs $400,000 land purchase to build El Pinto Fletcher detention pond
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Summary
The commissioners approved buying roughly 6.85–6.89 acres from Journey Community Church for $400,000 to build a detention pond tied to a Texas GLO CDBG‑MIT contract; the county will pay upfront and seek reimbursement from the Texas General Land Office.
The Hardin County Commissioners Court on March 24 authorized the county judge to execute documents to purchase about 6.85–6.89 acres from Journey Community Church for $400,000 plus closing costs to support the El Pinto Fletcher Channel detention pond project.
The action, introduced by the Chair, implements a flood‑mitigation component of a Texas General Land Office Community Development Block Grant Mitigation (CDBG‑MIT) contract (CDBG‑MIT‑E596). The county will pay the purchase price from the general fund and then seek reimbursement from the Texas General Land Office under the existing agreement.
Why it matters: the detention pond is intended to tie into channel improvements that county officials say will reduce flooding risk in the El Pinto Fletcher drainage area. County staff told the court the detention area will be roughly six acres, and engineers adjusted acreage estimates after learning the seller asked the county to consider acquiring an adjacent access road; the final warranty deed included approximately 6.85 acres.
Commissioner Cook, who worked with local church representatives on the transaction, was recognized by the Chair for facilitating the acquisition. The court moved and seconded the purchase and voted to approve it without recorded opposition.
Next steps: the county judge is authorized to sign closing documents and Hooks Tylenabstract Company is listed as the closing agent; the county will submit reimbursement requests to the Texas General Land Office, which county staff said typically reimburse within 45–60 days after submission.
