Harris County granted one-year extension to continue Hurricane Harvey projects
HARRIS COUNTY, Texas - Harris County flood projects have been granted one last extension to keep their federal funding and continue their work for one more year.
Harris County: Deadlines postponed for Hurricane Harvey projects
What they're saying:
According to Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, the Texas General Land Office (GLO) offered Harris County a one-year extension for current infrastructure and mitigation projects.
A press release from County Judge Lina Hidalgo's office confirmed that they are accepting the extension.
Buckingham says the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approved GLO's request to grant one last extension for the 2017 Hurricane Harvey Community Development Block Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funding. The extension is said to apply to over $1.1 billion in funding for Harris County.
Commissioner Buckingham stated in a press release that her letter to the county "stressed her grave concerns about Harris County continually failing to meet contract expenditure benchmarks."
Rising tension over flood projects
PREVIOUS: Harris County Flood Control District in high water | What's Your Point?
Time is ticking for the Harris County Flood Control District to take advantage of federal funding as several flood control projects remain behind schedule. The What's Your Point panel listens and responds to Greg Groogan's interview with the newly appointed executive director who says the projects can still get done in time, with nearly a dozen of those projects being due early next year.
Big picture view:
This announcement came as the Harris County Flood Control District was months away from a funding deadline for nearly one dozen projects.
Reports from earlier this year say 11 Disaster Recovery projects had to clear a hard close-out and audit window by February 28, 2027, putting $322 million in federal funding on the line. Another 17 mitigation projects, valued at over $546 million, were set to expire in March 2028.
Marcus Stuckett took over as district director in late June after pushback from county leaders led to Dr. Tina Petersen's resignation.
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With the extension, according to a press release from Hidalgo's office, the 11 Disaster Recovery projects have until February 28, 2028, to use their funds. The 17 mitigation projects have until March 31, 2029.
What's next:
Director Stuckett is said to be giving an update on project plans at Commissioners Court on October 15.
The Source: Office of Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, Texas General Land Office website, news release from County Judge Lina Hidalgo's office, and previous FOX 26 reporting.