Coldspring seeks expert to help with grants

By Tony Farkas
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

COLDSPRING — The Coldspring City Council is looking for experts to help administer various city grants as well as seek more.
Mayor John Benestante said he wants to request proposals for other parties to be the administrator of these grants, such as the current American Rescue Plan Act funds.

Benestante said that grant administration is a lot of work, so the council, at its regular meeting on July 11, approve soliciting bids from five firms in the area, as well as anyone with experience that is interested in the position.

“I want to turn this over to someone who does it professionally,” he said. “This will give us some separation of duties.”

In a related matter, the city continues to use ARPA funds to extend its sewer system to FM 2025, and Benestante said the city is earmarked for another $641,000 to finish the project.

“My goal is to give everyone in town sewer service,” he said. “There is no cost difference for what the sewer plant is processing now and if it processes at 100 percent; currently, the plant is operating at 70 percent.”

In other business, the council:

•discussed two pieces of property the city has deemed nuisances have been cleaned and are finally in compliance with city ordinances;

Related Articles

Pirates sweep Bulldogs in district play

Indians claim doubleheader from Alto

•appointed Jennifer Manuel as alderman for Position 5, as the position was not on the last city ballot;

•accepted the 2018 and 2019 audits by Axley and Rode, which were approved with no discrepancies;

•approved a memorandum of understanding with Coldspring Youth League;

•approved salary range and qualifications for an office clerk, and the city is now seeking resumes for a person who will work 30 hours a week for a salary range of $20,000-$28,000, depending on experience;

•approved a $4,000 bid for flooring replacement in City Hall;

•approved an agreement with San Jacinto Special Utility District regarding meter reading;

•accepted a 30-foot right-of-way at EastTex Environmental from Sarah Brumley;

•discussed changing speed limits in city to 35; and

• discussed grease trap sampling requirements.