State throws block in front of funding
Austin requests more info
By SHARON KERR Staff Writer

Last week grant writer David Waxman reported to Jasper County Commissioners that the long-awaited funding from the Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) was "imminent," but 'block' seems to the the operative word.

The requested drawdown on hard-won funding for repayment and reimbursement of Hurricane Rita damage is still hung-up in red tape, according to County Judge Mark Allen.

County Auditor Dru Miller said she has sent "box-fulls" of documentation to Austin to the offices of the Office of Rural Community Affairs (ORCA).

Today, Feb. 21, Allen and Miller will meet with officials from Austin once again. At stake is $2.2 million.

"When we met with them last time, we were under the impression they had everything they needed," Allen said. "Now they are wanting more justification and still working on issues."

The next round of funding, almost $5 million, will be targeted for debris removal. Waxman received permission from the Commissioners' Court to apply for money for drainage projects.

"I've already told officials in Austin I've got a county that is flooding every time there's more than an inch of rain," Allen said. "We will go after those funds for Jasper County."