City Council approves application for 2026 downtown revitalization grant with $50,000 local match

The City Council on March 31 adopted a resolution authorizing submission of an application to the Texas Department of Agriculture for the Texas Community Development Block Grant Program’s 2026 downtown revitalization program, with the city committing a maximum match of $50,000.

Jamie Campbell, a city staff member, told the mayor and council that the action before them was largely procedural: "this portion is just a resolution saying that we want to actually apply for the grant and that our maximum match would be $50,000." She said the grant would focus on downtown, particularly the farmers market area, and that the process is multi‑phased and competitive. "It is highly competitive," she added, noting the city’s 2024 application was unsuccessful.

Campbell said the ultimate grant amount depends on project scope and on the engineer’s recommendations. In response to a council member’s question about the grant size and engineering work, she described the first phase of consultant work as producing high‑level drawings for the application rather than full schematic plans, with more detailed design only if the city advances to later scoring phases.

A council member moved to adopt the resolution authorizing submission of the application; another council member seconded. The mayor called for those in favor to say "I," and the motion carried. The transcript does not include the names of the members who made or seconded the motion, nor does it record individual vote tallies.

With the resolution adopted, staff may proceed with the application package and the initial engineering deliverables required for the submission. The council adjourned at 12:03 p.m.