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Developers ask Jefferson to seek up to $500,000 from JEDCO for Marshall Lift Station; council tables request
Summary
Presenters asked the council for permission to pursue up to $500,000 in JEDCO funding to update the Marshall Lift Station so multiple downtown lots could be developed; councilors expressed financing questions and voted to table the request for more detailed cost and financing information.
Cindy Pinkerton and David Stafa presented to the council a request for permission to approach Jefferson Economic Development Corporation (JEDCO) for up to $500,000 to update the Marshall Lift Station, which presenters said currently prevents development on at least nine lots in the central business district.
Pinkerton said the group was asking only for council approval to present the proposal to JEDCO, not for the city to provide funds, and outlined projected annual sewer revenues and potential tax gains if the lots were made developable. She noted three cost estimates were supplied in the meeting packet and emphasized the expected economic-development benefits to the city.
Council members raised questions about alternatives (grants, Texas Water Development Board loans) and about the age and scope of prior cost estimates; several members suggested a closer review and an updated cost estimate before the council directs staff to pursue JEDCO funding. One council member said they were not personally comfortable going to JEDCO without clearer projections of return and use-case assumptions.
Because of outstanding questions about costs and alternative financing, the council voted to table the JEDCO-permission item until the next meeting so staff and presenters can return with updated estimates and financing options.
What’s next: Pinkerton and Stafa said they would return next month with additional documentation; staff was asked to produce comparative financing alternatives and updated cost figures before a final decision.
