By Anton Riecher
Medina County commissioners voted Monday to accept a $542,000 Federal Emergency Management Agency grant for flood mitigation assistance administered through the Texas Water Development Board.
On a motion by Precinct 3 Commissioner David Lynch, seconded by Precinct 4 Commissioner Danny Lawler, the commissioners voted unanimously to accept the funding for development of a county wide flood mitigation plan.
Since 2015, the Texas Flood Mitigation Assistance grant program has provided more than $451 million in total funding benefiting nearly 129,000 structures throughout the state. The program helps communities pay for cost-effective ways to reduce or eliminate the repetitive, long-term risk of flood damage.
Commissioners also approved a contract with TWDB to provide a local share of $54,300 to support the project. The county has previously contributed $20,000 toward the project goal. The motion to approve the payment was made by Precinct 2 Commissioner Larry Sittre and seconded by Precinct 1 Commissioner Jessica Castiglione.
The court also approved submission of a letter to FEMA by Westwood Professional Services acknowledging their role in representing the county in the flood mitigation project.
In financial matters, a report submitted by County Treasurer Jennifer Konegni shows an ending cash balance of $29.9 million for the county as of May 2024 against a total debt of $22.7 million. Accounts payable of $180,127 was approved by the commissioners.
A report by County Auditor Eduardo Lopez showed that the general fund registered a net loss of $1.3 million as of July 1.
Regarding subdivisions, the commissioners gave preliminary approval of a plat establishing Hunters Ranch subdivision, unit 15D, located in precinct 2 on County Road 381. The action was taken on a motion by Sittre, seconded by Castiglione.
With more than 1,400 lots, the subdivision was originally envisioned as a 15-year project, Sittre said. All but the remaining two sections have been sold out in seven years, he said.
The commissioners also granted preliminary approval on a plat establishing Megan’s Landing subdivision, unit 4B, located in precinct 2 on FM 1957. Approval was granted on a motion by Sittre, seconded by Castiglione.
Located in the southern portion of the development, the new unit will consist of 2.5 acre lots with homes ranging from $450,000 to $600,000, Sittre said. Further development is waiting for further roadwork to serve the area, he said.
In other action, the commissioners approved a contract renewal with HTS Voice & Data Systems of IT services. The motion was made by Lawler and seconded by Castiglione.
The commissioners also approved a proposal by Service Uniforms to deliver supplies for the extension program training room.
Glenda Moody, Medina County human relations director was presented a service plaque by County Judge Keith Lutz upon her retirement after eight years.