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Commissioners extend Lone Star Consulting agreement for six months at $2,000/month, contingent on city participation
Summary
After discussing grant prospects and staff workload, Howard County extended its agreement with Lone Star Consulting (grant writer) for six months at $2,000 per month contingent on the City of Big Spring sharing half the fee; commissioners emphasized oversight and tracking of staff time.
Howard County Commissioners on April 13 approved a six-month extension to the county’s agreement with Lone Star Consulting for grant-writing support, with the county portion set at $2,000 per month provided the City of Big Spring agrees to pay half. Commissioners said the consultant had provided five months of pro bono service while pursuing federal and state grant opportunities, including a $14 million road-improvement grant the county submitted as one of roughly eight federal requests.
Commissioners discussed that the $2,000/month arrangement is contingent on city participation; if the city declines to share costs the consultant would revert to $4,000/month and the court would revisit the contract. Some commissioners expressed concern about staff workload and the administrative burden the grant writer’s requests place on county staff; the court directed the grant writer to submit monthly invoices and for staff to process them through the county’s contractual revenue fund. A motion to extend the engagement for six months under the $2,000/month condition passed unanimously.
The court noted the uncertainty of winning competitive federal awards and emphasized that any future budget implications would be addressed during budget workshops if the consultant secures awards for the county.
