Navasota City Council decided it can’t afford one quarter of what it’s expected to cost to prevent future flooding in the Cedar Creek area.
City Manager Brad Stafford told Council that’s because engineers estimate the project will cost about four million dollars. And if it was successful and was issued a FEMA grant to cover it, the city would have to shoulder one fourth of the cost.
Councilman Bernie Gessner observed the project would only help a small area of town while using up funding that could be used better elsewhere.
Stafford explained one of the reasons the project cost so much is because of the grant’s requirements. Smaller projects would not get any outside funding, leaving the city to foot the entire bill.
But in the end, even with the incentives and need, Councilman Gessner, joined by Grant Holt, Mayor Bert Miller and Mayor Protem Peter Canny came to the conclusion; the city should pass on the project.
Council then charged Stafford to look into more pressing issues that affect a larger number city residents, and come up with ways the city can help.
Whatever that may be, you’ll hear about it right here both at 1550 on your AM dial and at www.navasotanews.com