The public hearing to gather input from citizens concerning a $23.9 million Community Development Block Grant for Mitigation (CSBG-MIT) application for Hardin County took place Oct. 25 as the Commissioners Court conducted a public hearing, the first phase of the application process.
The county has been allocated $23,894,500 as part of the $142.878 million that was allocated to the South East Texas Regional Planning Commission (SETRPC) for their method of distribution (MOD). The Hurricane Harvey Regional MOD included 49 counties in nine councils of governments (COGs).
Patrick Wiltshire, president of Public Management Inc., said this is a multi-phase process for the application and the public hearing for citizens’ comments is the first phase. The application deadline is Jan. 13, 2023.
“There is the funding coming to the county but there are regulations and requirements of that funding,” said Wiltshire. “We want to give the public an opportunity to comment on the potential uses of those dollars and we want to incorporate that into our timeframe for the funding.”
Concerning the development of local housing and community development or long-term recovery needs, Wiltshire said the emphasis of the funding is “unique” and the funds are federally allocated from the U.S. Department of Housing and Human Development.
Wiltshire noted as, for the CDBC-MIT funding, the Texas General Office has given guidance.
“One of the elements they want us to consider is true mitigated projects that are forward thinking and that are going to focus on enhancing infrastructure but not necessarily the infrastructure that was damaged as a result of a particular storm. But that we identity infrastructure that may not be in place to handle various storms of various magnitudes whether it’s flooding, a hurricane or a Harvey-type event.”
Wiltshire said the mitigation element of the application is to identify important infrastructure that can be enhanced or revitalized, and that the county is protecting people or housing.
He added Southeast Texas was one of the hardest hit regions during Hurricane Harvey and part of the funding allocated to the area is from the CDBG-MIT for $4.3 billion to the state in 2019.
Of the $142.878 million allocated to the SETRPC, Jefferson County Drainage Districts No. 6 and 7 were allocated $46.525 million and $41.367 million, respectively, and $31.091 million was allocated to the Orange County Drainage District.
Wiltshire noted the SETRPC has “isolated the use of the funds” for flood control, drainage improvement and storm management projects.
He said since 2009, Hardin County has been awarded $28.813 million in contracts for a variety of CGBG projects.
County Judge Wayne McDaniel said the county hasn’t received the $28 million and the county is still working on the last two projects for Hurricane Harvey.
According to Wiltshire, one critical component of CDBG funding is that the SETRPC MOD states at least 50% of the regional allocation needs to benefit low-to-moderate income (LMI) persons. He added of the county’s allocation, $11.947 million has been identified to benefit LMI persons and that regional allocation is heavily weighted to prioritize applications that will benefit LMI populations.
Pct. 2 Commissioner Chris Kirkendall said some people question why the county is doing certain projects that are affecting a “lesser amount of people.”
“Areas that have been damaged or can be improved, but the household income surpasses LMI, they are not qualified for those projects,” he added.
Wiltshire said traditional CDBG funding is a 70/30% split with 70% spent on LMI projects and 30% on other projects. He said there’s a waiver for 50% to be spent on LMI.
“It does allow us to stretch the dollars,” he added.
According to Wiltshire’s presentation, the primary objective will be to limit the displacement of individuals and families and project development should consider a variety of alternatives to ensure the protection of life and property.
He noted applications are due Jan. 13, 2023. Once the application is developed, it will be posted for public comment with a minimum 14-day period. Commissioners Court will authorize the application for submission following the 14-day comment period.
Only one resident spoke during the public hearing. Kountze resident Cheryl Bean asked if the $28.8 million was drawing interest.
McDaniel told Bean the federal government does not allow interest to be drawn on the allocated money.
“Funds can’t be placed into interest-bearing accounts,” added Wiltshire.
Bean said she found out that the City of Kountze does not qualify for any of the $28.8 million allocation.
McDaniel told Bean that Kountze city council members are welcome to attend the meeting, but the decision will be made by the commissioners court.
“They (Kountze) don’t get to apply for the money,” McDaniel told Bean. “But we want to city to have some input. The only applicant is the county. We will make the decisions together on the projects.”
He added he expects to have the application on each agenda over the next several months.”
Health insurance
Concerning increasing the county’s contribution toward dependent health insurance coverage, McDaniel said if the county decides to increase the contribution by $300 per employee per month, it would cost the county more than $691,000 per year.
“This is the worst-case sinario,” he added
The current contribution is $1,000 per month.
The judge said the county will wait to consider a budget amendment until they know how many people employees would participate.
If increased by $500 per employee, it would cost the county more than $1.1 million and $700 per employee would cost more than $1.5 million.
Commissioners approved the $500 increase.
Also, the court approved participation in the Texas Association of Counties Health and Wellness County Specific Incentive Plan.
Human Resource Director Melinda Herrington noted the county can receive up to $9,000 per year for participating.
Other action
In other action, the court approved the following:
• Pct. 1 Commissioner L.W. Cooper, Dale Williford, Edward Bumstead and O.O. Wilson were appointed to a committee to determine selection criteria, review qualifications of candidate firms, conduct interviews, and select a firm for the award of the planning contract concerning Hardin County Airport/Hawthorne Field.
• Kolin Burmaster as a reserve deputy for Pct. 3 Constable Trey Brothers.
• Replat in Madison Park 2 in Pct. and Phase 2 of Tranquility Forest streets in Pct. 1, as a request by Floodplain Administrator Alex Parker.
• Purchase of a 2022 Ford F250 truck for each Road and Bridge Department and trading in two vehicles.
• Solicit bids for 5,280 by 18 feet on Hayes Road in Pct. 2.
• Appointment of election judges and alternative election judges for the Nov. 8 general election.
• Budget amendment for County Clerk’s Office to transfer $4,494 from Salaries-Clerical to Salaries-Temporary.
• Request by Pct. 4 Alvin Roberts to adjust foreman position pay from $27.65 to $26.65 per hour and increase heavy equipment operator pay rate from $23 to $24 per hour.
Recognition
The following officials and employees were recognized and presented a certificate for years of service:
• Christie Biskamp, HCSO, 5 years
• Hope Brocato, HCSO, 5 years
• Kirk Leonard, HCSO, 5 years
• Bebe Griffin, R&B 2, 5 Years
• Jesse Orr, HCSO, 10 years
• Jason Griffin, HCSO, 15 years
• Treva Sullins, Juvenile Probation Department, 15 Years
• Elizabeth Fobbs, Juvenile Probation Department, 20 Years
• Alvin Roberts, Pct. 4 Commissioner, Precinct 4, 25 Years
• Mark Minton, HCSO, 35 years
The following officials and employees who are unable to
attend this meeting were:
• James Augeri, R&B 3, 25 years
• Janice Palermo, County Attorney’s Office, 25 years
• Jarrod Fountain, Juvenile Probation Department, 20 years
• Billy Malone, HCSO, 20 years
• Dean Ueckert, Adult Probation Department, 20 years
• Joe Cropper III, Adult Probation Department, 20 years
• T.J. Hall, JP, Precinct 3, 20 years
• Kelly Chenoweth, County Attorney’s Office – 15 years
• Mark Ames, JP, Precinct 4, 15 years
• Mark Vincent, HCSO, 15 years
• Scotty Stutts, R&B 4, 15 years