Harris County approves 'swap' strategy to keep $322M CDBG flood projects on track

Harris County Commissioners Court on June 11 unanimously approved a multi-step plan from the county flood control district to protect and accelerate roughly $322 million in Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) flood mitigation projects.

Director Peterson of the Harris County Flood Control District told the court the plan, developed closely with the Texas General Land Office (GLO), phases long-duration projects, transfers certain subdivision and drainage work into the CDBG-MIT (mitigation) program, and uses targeted acceleration methods so work can be completed within federal deadlines. “We are making progress… projects are under construction,” Peterson said, adding that phasing and funding realignment will preserve project scope while increasing the county’s ability to deliver more projects for residents.

The plan was detailed by Scott Elmer, who described the approach as a change in the program’s delivery architecture rather than a change in outcomes. Elmer told the court that moving seven projects from HCD into the DR program frees up roughly $125 million to fund additional mitigation work; the district also plans $40 million for change orders and acceleration strategies and anticipates managing roughly $27 million to shift projects into MIT or planning studies.

Commissioners pressed staff on timing and legal safeguards. Commissioner Garcia asked whether the plan will meet the 02/28/2027 CDBG-DR deadline; Peterson said the district is confident if phases are executed correctly and environmental clearances remain on track. Commissioners also emphasized the need for broad delegation of authority and tighter procurement and change-order processes so construction can move quickly without unnecessary court-level delays. Peterson said the district has embedded finance, environmental and procurement teams to accelerate decision-making and is coordinating with the county attorney’s office on delegation limits.

Commissioner Briones moved two actions asking the court to approve additions to the CDBG-DR and CDBG-MIT project lists, authorize Flood Control and Housing & Community Development to negotiate necessary agreements with the GLO, and direct Flood Control to implement the phasing/funding realignment strategy; she also asked Flood Control, the county attorney and relevant departments to return with vetted recommendations to expedite projects. The court carried both motions unanimously.

The district said seven of 11 key projects are already under construction, three more are expected to begin construction within weeks, and one remains pending environmental clearance. Peterson stressed that the plan preserves project scope and benefits to residents, and that written GLO support for the approach exists. The court asked staff to return with implementation steps and for departments to streamline purchasing and change-order handling to avoid administrative delays.

What happens next: staff will work with the GLO on contract amendments and submit recommended administrative steps and a phased project list for court review. The court also directed Flood Control and the county attorney to compile a set of recommendations for actions commissioners can take to help accelerate delivery.

Sources: presentation and discussion with Director Peterson and Scott Elmer to Commissioners Court (June 11, 2026).