WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS LEARN OF DILEMMA WITH PECAN GLEN ROAD DISTRICT PROJECT

  

A predicament has arisen with Washington County Commissioners and the Pecan Glen Road District. 

County Engineer Wesley Stolz informed the court today (Tuesday) that there is a difference in language between the county’s agreement with the road district and the road district’s agreement with the contractor, Schrader Construction Company, who is tasked with improving the roads within the Pecan Glen subdivision using bond proceeds approved two years ago by voters inside the road district. 

The difference pertains to the level of chip seal treatment for upgrading the roads.  The agreement between the county and road district stipulates a two-course treatment plus a third a year later, whereas the agreement between the road district and contractor calls for only the two courses, with the option for a third course having been declined previously.   

The problem, Stolz said, is that the road district fund balance does not have enough to pay for a third course, which is the usual specification for roads that enter the county system.  The ultimate goal for the project is to bring Pecan Glen roads up to county standards so they can be taken in as county roads. 

Stolz said the reason for the shortfall, which would amount to roughly $100,000 if the county pursued the third treatment, is because infrastructure costs were considerably less when the process to get the project underway began several years ago.

Stolz said commissioners have two options: amend the county’s contract with the road district to only do the two-course chip seal, or find a way to cover the cost of the third seal over the course of the next year. 

In May 2021, Pecan Glen voters approved using proceeds from up to $950,000 in bonds to make improvements to roads in the subdivision.  The bond was taken out by the road district, not Washington County; only people who live within the road district’s boundaries are paying the added tax to support the upgrades.  Proceeds from the bond came in at $801,069, with other funding being used to pay the bonding agency and cover other fees.  In July 2022, commissioners accepted the project bid of Schrader Construction Company for $741,915.  Since then, there have been change orders for a reduction of $7,100 and a credit of $25,400.   

Assistant County Attorney Kacie Murphy reminded the commissioners court that it acts as the governing body for the Pecan Glen Road District, so the two entities – while being legally different – consist of the same people.  She said commissioners are “sort of stuck” because they did one thing acting as the road district but want something else as the commissioners court.   

Commissioner Kirk Hanath said the court has never done anything like this before as it relates to the process of governing the road district and admitted that it appears they have “made an error”.  He said commissioners will correct that error and make a decision based on “what’s best for all of the taxpayers in Washington County.”

Commissioners opted to table the matter until they can receive more legal guidance. 

Also at today’s meeting, the court:

• Approved the fourth payment application for the Pecan Glen Road District from Schrader Construction Company for $35,470.
• Heard monthly reports from EMS and E-911 emergency dispatch. 
• Briefly discussed updated policies and procedures for the Washington County Treasurer’s Office.  The treasurer’s office and auditor’s office will work through the updates for later action by the court. 
• Approved accepting the bid of Volunteer Firemen’s Insurance Service (VFIS) for the Washington County volunteer fire department auto policy, which includes theft fee coverage, accident and sickness coverage, portable equipment coverage and coverage for first responders.
• Designated Brenham Animal Services Manager Megan Gray as the county’s Local Rabies Control Authority. 
• Approved a final plat for the Orchard Oaks subdivision located along Highway 36 North in Precinct 3, consisting of 15 lots and one road.