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Thrall council wants money back By PHILIP JANKOWSKI Thursday the Thrall City Council voted to go after grant money Williamson County commissioners had allocated to the city, but took back. The money, $128,000 of federal grant money designed to help low-income areas, was intended for the construction of new water lines between Taylor and Thrall. The need arose when it was discovered the lines were placed in U.S. 79’s right of way. They would effectively be destroyed by the road’s ongoing expansion from Hutto to the Milam County line, said Thrall Mayor Troy Marx. Though Thrall planned to build the lines with grant money, U.S. 79’s expansion project includes creating new water lines, rendering the Thrall project redundant. So the county, which allocates the federal community development block grant, took the money back. It will be reallocated next year, said Williamson County Grants Coordinator Sally Bardwell. Thrall’s grant, along with money Habitat for Humanity did not need and funds from Cedar Park, create a $250,000 surplus for next year’s community development block grant. “I don’t think it’s fair,” Marx said. “The grant money was allocated to Thrall and I believe it should stay with Thrall in a similar project.” Marx said Thrall would have used the money to upgrade other water lines throughout the city. Some valves and pipes are quite old and need to be replaced, he said. Marx said the county never notified him the funds were withdrawn. His grant writer told him. Each year cities submit proposals to the county for the federal grant money. County officials make recommendations based on the income level of the city and importance of the project. County commissioners have to approve those recommendations before any money is allocated. The grant is among the chief funding sources for the Dickey Street drainage improvements in Taylor.
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