City Applies for Up to $10M from State Water Fund

The City of Olney is pursuing up to $10 million in state funding to upgrade its aging water infrastructure after the Texas Legislature created a $1 billion program to help communities improve water systems across the state.

The Olney City Council voted unanimously on June 23 to authorize City Administrator Andy Wolfe to submit an application to the Texas Water Development Board under House Bill 500, which established the new water infrastructure fund.

Mayor Rue Rogers said that engineering firm Jacob & Martin has volunteered to prepare the grant application at no cost to the city.

Because construction of the city’s new water treatment plant was already underway before the state created the program, that project is not eligible for funding. Instead, city officials plan to seek money for other water infrastructure improvements that complement the new plant.

Olney Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Tom Parker said potential projects could include replacing aging water lines, improving underground infrastructure beneath streets scheduled for reconstruction, and other upgrades that strengthen the city’s overall water system.

Mr. Wolfe said that the maximum grant available to a community of Olney’s size is $10 million.

If the application is successful, the city would receive the grant funds directly and would retain full control over selecting contractors and managing the projects, officials said. Jacob & Martin’s role is limited to assisting with the preparation of the application.