EMILY TREADWAY
GEORGETOWN — For the second time in a month, commissioners delayed approving an agreement between the county and Granger and Thrall school districts to use the Williamson County Expo Center during emergencies.
At issue is whether the school districts or the Federal Emergency Management Agency funds any reimbursements involving the center.
Bruce Clements, Williamson County director of emergency management, told commissioners the agreement calls for both independent school districts to use the Expo Center in Taylor as a family reunification center.
“If we had a transportation accident with one of the rail lines, a fire at the school, an active shooter, whatever it may be, if we have to evacuate the school this would just be a location to do that reunification,” Clements said.
During the Williamson County Commissioners Court June 17 meeting, the interlocal agreement was pulled from the regular agenda with no discussion.
In a session July 1, the elected representatives were prepared to vote on the matter when Precinct 2 Commissioner Cynthia Long stopped the proceedings with a last-minute question.
Noting that FEMA often took three to four years to make payments, Long wanted to know if a set amount and repayment timeframe had been determined for the school districts to pay for the use of the building.
“It seems like there needs to be a time period for the county to be reimbursed by the school districts,” Long said. “(The agreement) says that the school districts in the county will mutually agree to go after FEMA funding, but as we know FEMA funding can take years, so I think there needs to be some time period in which the ISD reimburses the county for our expenses.”
Clements said the costs associated with a family assistance center are minimal.
“It’s really just the use of the facility,” he said.
“I hear you, but there’s no date in here and contracts need to have dates,” Long said. Commissioners tabled the item to give Clements time to discuss payment amounts and repayment timeframes with the two school districts.
In other business, the court granted consent for the Coupland Civic Organization Inc. to donate a caboose located in the historic Depot Museum to the city of Coupland.
The caboose had been renovated using Williamson County Community Recreational Facility funding.
Also, the court approved a pact between the county and the Granger Housing Authority to receive Community Development Block Grant funds through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to rehabilitate and improve low-income housing.
In addition, the court OK’d a threeyear lease renewal for the Central Texas Treatment Center facility in Granger with land leased from Williamson County.
