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Crockett council approves Homeland Security lighting grant application, backs July 4 fireworks and delays energy contract renewal
Summary
At its March 16 meeting the Crockett City Council voted to apply for a $39,225 homeland-security grant to buy three generator-powered lighting towers, authorized a contract to host a July 4 fireworks show (with city backup if sponsorships fall short), and voted to delay renewing the city’s electricity provider contract while monitoring market prices.
The Crockett City Council on March 16 approved a resolution to apply for a $39,225 Office of the Governor Homeland Security Grant Program award to buy three Generac generator-powered lighting towers intended to improve event security and nighttime visibility.
City staff described the towers as trailer-mounted, diesel-powered units that can be moved to locations for evening events. "It's not a matching grant," the city administrator said. "So if we're awarded the grant, they'll fund it 100%." Council moved and seconded the resolution and the motion carried.
The council also considered the annual July 4 fireworks show, proposed to be hosted by the city together with the Crockett Area Chamber of Commerce and produced by Wilson Family Power Techniques. The city administrator told council the 2025 show cost about $25,000 and generated a sponsorship surplus of $3,466 that was available for this year. He added that a 50% deposit would likely be required to secure the contractor and that the chamber does not have the reserves to provide that deposit.
One council member raised a policy concern: "I do recall on the last year we were not supposed to use taxpayers' monies to fund those programs," a council member (S8) said during debate. The city administrator replied the prior year’s sponsorships covered costs and that the council would be asked to provide backstop support only if sponsorships do not materialize. Following motion and second, the council approved entering the contract and authorized the city to cover any shortfall if necessary.
On the city’s electricity supply, the city administrator reviewed contract history and current market quotes and warned that provider charges could raise the city’s annual provider cost by roughly $80,000 if the city entered a new contract now. He said the city uses "about 2 and a quarter megawatts of energy a year" and currently pays about $320,000–$350,000 a year in provider charges (not including delivery fees). Noting broker quotes and differing views about near-term price movement, a council member moved to "ride" the market and not sign a new supply contract at this time; the motion passed.
Council approved several additional routine items: declaring a 14-by-65 Fleetwood mobile home surplus for sealed-bid sale after noting vandalism and graffiti; selecting Trailer and Associates as the grant administrator for a Texas Department of Agriculture downtown revitalization/Main Street application (staff said the administrator fee is paid through TDA funds); approving Trailer and Associates for CDBG-DR grant administration related to 2024 storm recovery; selecting an engineering firm for a $1 million sewer repair project (application CDV25-008); and approving a letter of support for TxDOT to demolish and reconstruct an aging overpass on Northwest Loop 304.
Votes at a glance - Approval of March 2, 2026 minutes — carried. - Resolution to apply for Homeland Security Grant Program funding for three lighting towers ($39,225) — carried. - Authorize contract with Wilson Family Power Techniques for July 4 fireworks and agree city will cover shortfall if sponsorships fail — carried. - Motion to delay signing a new electricity provider contract and "ride" the market — carried. - Declare 14'x65' Fleetwood mobile home surplus and sell by sealed bid — carried. - Select Trailer and Associates as grant administrator for TDA downtown revitalization and for GLO CDBG-DR administration — carried. - Approve selection of engineering firm for CDV25-008 sewer project — carried. - Approve letter of support for TxDOT Loop 304 bridge replacement — carried.
What’s next City staff said they will file the grant application to the Office of the Governor and, if awarded, will return with contract details and arrangements for equipment use. Staff also said auditors are working to deliver the fiscal-year audit and that the city may call a special meeting to receive it before the March 30 filing deadline if the audit is ready.
