Montgomery County commissioners approved extensions to disaster recovery grant timelines tied to Hurricane Harvey and the 2016 flood, allowing officials to continue property buyouts and maximize remaining funds.
County officials stated Montgomery County commissioners extended two disaster recovery grant schedules for property buyout initiatives related to Hurricane Harvey and the 2016 storm and flooding on Dec. 16.
The commissioners' court agenda extends the CDBG-DR task orders. Hurricane Harvey buyouts are extended through Feb. 28, 2027, and 2016 storm and flood work through April 30, 2026.
Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management executive director Jason Millsaps told commissioners the extensions allow the county to continue working with the Texas General Land Office and Texas Water Development Board to finish projects.
Millsaps said, “These are existing grants being extended to continue the work,” maintaining the focus on buying flood-prone houses to lessen risk.
Millsaps said the county outperformed others. Montgomery County has “been doing a phenomenal job with buyouts,” he said, adding that few counties have used this grant cash for property acquisition.
He said the county and state partners share the request since financing is available, and they want to maximize it. Millsaps said the grants should buy more properties than expected.
To prevent flood damage and expenses, buyouts usually involve purchasing regularly flooded or high-risk properties, demolishing structures, and converting the area into open space. County officials said extending the timelines allows them to complete transactions and pursue more qualified properties when funds are available.
In response to commissioners' inquiries about progress, Millsaps said the county has identified more properties for buyouts than financing allows. Under existing grants, numerous transactions are still being finalized.
Millsaps estimated “more than a couple dozen” properties purchased so far.
Commissioners did not oppose the extensions, and the court granted them on its regular agenda. Officials expect the extra time to assist in maximizing federal disaster recovery funds in the most needy locations.
Montgomery County is still recovering from Hurricane Harvey and the 2016 flooding, which devastated the region. County administrators say buyout programs reduce flood risks and help residents move from the susceptible areas.
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