County takes close look at housing deal
By SHARON KERR

WILLIE STARK, left, is pictured with Judge Joe Bob Golden during this month's swearing in ceremony. Stark, Precinct 2 commisssioner, was elected as judge pro-tem for the county.

In the first Jasper County Commissioners Court meeting of 2007, the court appointed Precinct 3 Commissioner Willie Stark as judge pro-tem should he need to preside in County Judge Mark Allen's absence.

In a long agenda, most items were quickly dispatched, including:

t Funds for the Jasper County Historical Commission to print the book, "W.P. Cook, Contractor and Builder."

t Appointment of the Historical Commission, six unpaid volunteers who keep the archives and library. Workers are: Bertie Bryant, Gwen Bluitt, Elza Roberts, Jeanette Pittman, Jimmie Tanner and Nicole Muldrow.

t Salary grievance committee names were drawn from the previous year's grand jury pool, and committee members to administer the sick leave pool were drawn from county employee volunteers.

t The county authorized replacing a network exchange server that was operating beyond its capacity; the installation will include updating Windows and cost approximately $9,200.

t Allen was appointed to the Tri-County Community Action Board to replace retired Judge Joe Folk

The court also voted unanimously to extend the disaster declaration from Dec. 30 flooding in Jasper for another 90 days.

TDHCA Grants

The longest discussion centered on a report by Michael Hunter of Hunter and Hunter to bring the new court "up to speed" on the TDHCA (Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs) grants to repair or replace homes damaged by Hurricane Rita.

Hunter originally secured a contract for replacement of six homes in Jasper County damaged by Hurricane Rita. The grant allows up to $55,000 per unit, to be paid for up front by county and reimbursed by the grant upon completion.

Commissioners last July prioritized a list or more than 20 applicants based on income and need. Income is also the basis for a threetiered repayment plan for construction costs:

Applicants who earn less than 30 percent of the median income receive a full grant for replacement.

Applicants in the 30-50 percent median income range receive a five-year forgivable loan.

Applicants who earn more than 50 percent receive a principal-only payback loan.

In November additional grant money became available, enough that most of the original applicants can be included in the program.

However, Hunter said he is in the early stages of investigating each applicant and finding, "We may have a couple that will drop out...some applications are not as accurate as we would have liked."

Hunter also reported to the court that of the $55,000 per unit, with the inspections and "soft costs" involved in reporting, it drops the money available for actual construction to about $49,500. Hunter said there is legislation under consideration that may increase the allowance to $60,000.

Hunter reported he has completed inspection in Buna and will do Kirbyville next, Jasper last. To meet state requirements, Hunter must inspect each property and take 27 photos, and that's just the initial report required by the grant.

"It takes a ton of time to get through this," Hunter said, and he suggested the court authorize Allen to ask for an extension on the April deadline if needed.

Precinct 1 Commissioner Charles Shofner asked if the state has been lenient with extensions, and Hunter replied, "No, the board has decided too many are asking for extensions... Each contract can be extended once for six months."

The rules for the two separate grants are slightly different, and many requirements must be met to insure reimbursement. Recent rule interpretations now permit mobile homes to replace stick-built homes, allowing for larger homes.

Under the current budget, a stick-built house will only be 880 square feet, whereas as new mobile home might be as large as 1,200 square feet, and mobiles can be put in place much quicker.

Precinct 4 Commissioner Vance Moss said, "I'm sure the people are ready to get into something."

Hunter said he will ask the state if they can use refurbished mobile homes, and whether mobiles, an acquisition rather than new construction, would have to meet all the same requirements, which include complete ADA wheelchair accessibility.

"There's no harm in trying," Hunter said, noting that their goal is to get each applicant the most home for the money.

Based on all the information Hunter provided, commissioners voted unanimously to give Allen the authority to request a deadline extension if needed.

"It's a reimbursement issue," Hunter explained. "We don't want to be in a situation where we have mobiles ordered and time runs out and we can't get reimbursed."