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Gregg County approves planning task order, moves forward on Sabine River paddling‑trail grant despite maintenance concerns
Summary
After debate over a required 25% grant match and 25‑year maintenance obligations, Gregg County commissioners approved a $16,700 task order with MHS Planning to pursue a Texas Parks and Wildlife–sponsored paddling‑trail grant for the Sabine River; the vote was 4–1.
Gregg County commissioners on Jan. 20 voted 4–1 to approve task order No. 3 with MHS Planning to advance a proposed Sabine River paddling trail, moving the county to sponsor a Texas Parks and Wildlife grant application for site development and later construction.
The planning task order was described by purchasing staff as $16,700 total, contingent upon receipt of grant funding. Purchasing staff and speakers said the Sabine River Authority (SRA) has committed to provide the 25% matching funds the grant requires for both the planning and a future construction phase, and that letters from several cities near the river — including Longview, Gladewater, Kilgore, Lakeport and White Oak — commit to maintenance duties such as litter removal and policing.
Commissioner Sean Wingo (led the opening prayer at the meeting) raised persistent objections, saying the paperwork lists a 25‑year maintenance obligation that could fall disproportionately on Precinct 3 and county taxpayers. Wingo asked whether the county would ever be able to back out once it begins the process and whether the county would face long‑term costs and liability for flood recovery and maintenance. "This sounds like a misuse of taxpayer funds," he said during the discussion.
Purchasing staff told the court the county’s immediate exposure would be limited to the planning task order and that interlocal agreements or contractual commitments from partner cities could be negotiated during the construction phase if the grant is awarded. Staff also recounted a prior SRA‑funded feasibility study that identified two candidate access points and said the SRA previously provided about $87,000 for that study.
Several commissioners pressed for firm, written commitments from partner cities and said those would be sought before construction. Commissioners also asked about liability for paddlers who camp on private property and whether landowners’ permission would be required; staff said those issues would be addressed during the design and interlocal‑agreement phase.
The court approved the task order and related grant sponsorship motions (including resolutions and required assurances for the grant application) and authorized formal advertisement as required by the grant process. Voting at the time of the task order motion was recorded as 4–1 in favor.
