Interim City Manager Roberto Gonzalez explained to the city council that a change to the way the funding was used had to be done because certain requisites under the grant program deemed the initial project not viable. Those issues had been discussed with Maverick county representatives.
“The problem was that when that project was approved, there were certain issues that were not taken into consideration. The acquisition of property was high and the amounts of monies allotted under the grant did not suffice to complete the project,” said Gonzalez.
Interim City Manager Roberto Gonzalez stated that $620,000 was not enough funding.
Gonzalez added that the state allowed for an engineering study to be done of the area in question that could be kept for future use, or be subsidized by local government agencies for the remaining balance of $2,000,000 for the project.
“The city is in no position to take on such a project, and the county is not in a position to contribute,” said Gonzalez.
Grant Coordinator Johnny Ruiz presented a breakdown of how the funding will now be used: Home Rehabilitation.
“The project will now serve up to 20 homes in either Las Quintas, Loma Bonita, or Cedar Ridge colonias at a cost not to exceed $40,000 or the line item amount, depending on the cost until you run out of funds,” said Ruiz.
Ruiz said they would be able to secure at least three homes earmarked at $50,000 each as well.
Council further discussed the possibilities that the project could move forward with the county participating with certain funding.
Mayor Cantu stated that at this time the county has not solidified any intent to provide further funds to help with the cement lining project.
The item was tabled in order to get an official response from the county as to what will be done.
Maverick County Judge David Saucedo and Commissioner Pct. 1 Jerry Morales pushed forward in assuring the flood abatement project be completed, which would assist thousands of residents in Las Quintas and surrounding areas that often see overfill of the canal in question, causing flooding problems.
The Maverick County Commissioners Court discussed the issue on Thursday January 19, in which Commissioner Morales explained the issue that was going to prevent the initial intended project to move forward.
“The grant doesn’t allow for land acquisition, therefore the City with recommendation from TDA is going forward with changing how those funds are to be used.”