Council authorizes RFP/RFQ to pursue Texas Community Development Block Grant

The Newark City Council voted unanimously to authorize staff to issue a request for proposals for administrative services and a request for qualifications for engineering services to pursue funding through the Texas Community Development Block Grant Program administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture.

Consultant Rob Barthen of Grant Works told the council the most recent funding cycle was based on $750,000 and that Newark’s required local match would be approximately 2% (about $15,000) because the city’s population is under 1,500. He said the program prioritizes water, wastewater, streets and drainage projects and that Newark’s Low‑to‑Moderate Income percentage is high enough that a citywide project would qualify without additional door‑to‑door surveys. Councilmember Jen Hill moved to authorize issuance of the RFP/RFQ and Mayor Pro Tem Chris Raines seconded; the motion carried unanimously.

The council instructed staff to circulate the solicitation documents as part of the FY2027 budget cycle and directed project alignment toward water and wastewater needs—the grant program’s stated priorities. The council was told the unified scoring committee meeting is scheduled for Sept. 2 and that current match percentages were not expected to change materially.