Bee County taxpayers could save some money on water improvements to the city’s far west side if Eric Hartzell, executive vice president and senior planner of Grant Works, has his way.
Hartzell reported to the City Council Tuesday that he is working on a grant application for both the city and Bee County to help fund water system improvements and an extension of bulk water service to the Blueberry Hills Subdivision west of the city.
Hartzell said the plan is to submit an application for a community development block grant that could bring $100,000 to the city and as much as $500,00 to Bee County. City Manager Ford Patton told the council that the city’s portion of the grant, if it is approved, could be used to retire debt the city plans to incur through the sale of certificates of obligation.
The sale of certificates should provide the city with the funds it needs to take on the project, however.
Hartzell said grant funds received by the county would be used to help residents of Blueberry Hills switch from well water to the city’s surface water system.
The owner of the subdivision received assurances months ago that the city would work toward providing water service to the area because the state has been threatening to shut down the subdivision’s existing water system because of high levels of arsenic in its well water.
The city will provide water from its surface water system at the Nueces River to a master meter at Blueberry Hills and the owner of the subdivision will be responsible for the distribution to individual residences and for billing and collecting for the service.
Hartzell said the city would be the primary applicant for the funds and the county will be the secondary applicant.
The Bee County Commissioners Court already has approved an interlocal agreement to join with the city in seeking the grant. Hartzell said there is a Sept. 30 deadline for getting the application turned in for consideration, and final approval will not be known until after the first of next year. However, Hartzell said he should have some indication before then whether or not the grant is likely to be awarded.
The consultant said he expects the application to be one of the top five considered for funding next year.
“You should do well,” Hartzell said. “I expect it to be funded.”
Patton explained to Councilman Mike Scotten that the money for the $800,000 project will be in the sale of certificates. He said the grant, if approved, will not cover the entire cost.
Hartzell explained that only cities and counties may apply for community block grant funds, but in this case the county will act as the sponsor for Blueberry Hills. The city expects to see its utility revenue increase after the expansive subdivision goes on line. Patton had said the project will benefit all involved, including Blueberry Hills residents and the city.
Councilmen held a brief public hearing on the application but no one was there to comment. They then approved a resolution authorizing the submission of the grant application and an interlocal agreement between the city and county.
Councilmen then approved a citizen participation plan and a preservation ordinance necessary for the city to apply for $150,000 Texas Capital Fund Street Improvement Program grant from the state.
Beeville Main Street Manager Molly Young explained that the money, if granted, would be used to help fund improvements for North St. Mary’s Street in the downtown area. She said funds also could be used to provide improvements for the four side streets in downtown Beeville which run between North St. Mary’s and North Washington streets.
“It looks like our proposal is going to be in the running,” Ms. Young said. She anticipated that only 16 cities would be seeking funds through the program this year.
She said Urban Engineering of Corpus Christi currently is working on plans for the project. The council also granted Ms. Young’s request to declare the area a “slum/blight” district. She said that had to be done for the city to qualify for the grant.
She said the city’s Tax Increment Finance District, which will be providing much of the funding for the project, already had made that declaration.
Post a Comment