WASHINGTON CO. APPROVED FOR FLOOD MITIGATION GRANT AT SOUTH MEYERSVILLE ROAD

  

Washington County’s project to build a bridge on South Meyersville Road over New Year’s Creek is taking a major step forward, after the county was approved for grant funding through the Texas General Land Office.

County Engineer Wesley Stolz told commissioners at their meeting last week that the county’s storm bypass project at Meyersville Road was approved to receive $1,119,800 in regional mitigation funding.  The project will address the lack of road access that arises during flooding situations in the eastern portion of the county.

Stolz said this project will make a real impact for many residents.

The county is working with Strand Associates for project engineering and GrantWorks for grant administration services.  Stolz said the estimated cost of construction will be $1,613,458 based on the conceptual plan, and the county has budgeted for the remaining project cost that will not be covered by the grant. 

Once the contract documents are finalized, the county can begin negotiations for approximately 5 acres of right-of-way acquisition.  Stolz said one landowner is involved and has expressed willingness to sell the land to allow the project to proceed. 

Stolz said the hope is to get construction underway by either the end of this year or the beginning of next year.

Also at last week’s meeting, commissioners:

• Approved an agreement with Strategic Government Resources for executive search consulting and related services, pertaining to the development of a county-wide strategic plan.
• Approved the county’s purchasing policy.
• Declared miscellaneous items as surplus property and approved their sale through GovDeals, the county’s online auction service. 
• Received quarterly reports from the Engineering and Development Services Department and the Visit Brenham/Washington County Destination Marketing Organization.
• Approved a property access agreement between the county and Birdie Mae Sommerfeld for a drainage project along Lomax Harmel Road in Precinct 4.