Friday, April 19, 2024
In an effort to help the county prepare for — and potentially avoid — disasters, Coryell County leaders are working with Natural Resources Solutions (NRS) on a hazard mitigation plan and are seeking public input.
In addition to helping prevent or offset the consequences of disasters, the plan will also help the county qualify for additional grants.
"Within the Central Texas Council of Governments (which includes Bell, Coryell, Hamilton, Lampasas, Milam, Mills and San Saba counties), Coryell County is the only county that doesn't have a hazard mitigation plan," said Coryell County Judge Roger Miller. "Across the state, there are only seven or eight counties that don't have one.
"One of the reasons that is important is that there are millions of dollars available in grant funding but one of the requirements for those grants is to have a hazard mitigation plan. A great benefit is that this plan will help us prevent problems in advance instead of just reacting to them."
The Coryell County Commissioners Court reached an agreement with NRS on Dec. 13 to complete the hazard mitigation plan (HMP). The plan, which is updated every five years, will help to identify concerns related to natural disasters and develop strategies to reduce the risks.
The county is looking for local residents to provide their concerns and priorities. Four public meetings are scheduled:
* 5:30-7:30 p.m. Jan. 18 at the Gatesville City Auditorium, 110 N. Eighth St.
* 5:30-7:30 p.m. Jan. 19 at Evant City Hall
* 5:30-7:30 p.m. Jan. 25 at the Copperas Cove Council Chamber
* 5:30-7:30 p.m. Jan. 26 at Oglesby Community Center
The county and NRS have also set up a website, www.coryellcountyhmp.com and will also have a Facebook page for the HMP that will provide updates and information and will have a survey for people to give their input on local hazards and concerns.
"Both state and federal agencies look at community involvement, and we want to do our due diligence and involve the community and get their feedback," Miller said.
This process could help the county greatly multiply its efforts to improve local safety, Miller said.
"One of our priorities is replacing low-water crossing, but with limited funding available we've only been able to do two or three a year," Miller said. "There are grant funds available that would help us to do much more and getting the hazard mitigation plan in place is an important part of that."
The process will potentially provide significant financial benefits for the county.
"The return on the taxpayer investment (for the HMP) is astronomical," Miller said. "We are applying for $14.5 million in grants and have budgeted $500,000 for grant support. If we are able to get all of these grants, it would be a 3000% return for our taxpayers. I don't see how you cannot do that."
Miller said the county expects to be notified within the next 60 to 90 days which grants they will receive.
The county is working to submit its HMP to the state this spring.
"The goal is that we have our hazard mitigation plan written and ready to submit to the state for their approval by April 15," Miller said. "The Texas Department of Emergency Management is involved in the process. They have an interest and will give interim approval. Then it goes to FEMA (the Federal Emergency Management Agency) for approval.
"We are working to see what we can do to lessen the impact of disaster events before they happen."
