[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6393123,"mediaKeyId","2107736-90aaa64f324c564733adb9891c93be5d","parentId",2107736,"title","Commission receives 178 Phase 2 applications and weighs one-time exception to score late submissions","audioSeconds",280,"startMs",5136000,"endMs",5416000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2107736-90aaa64f324c564733adb9891c93be5d&start=5136&end=5416","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2107736-90aaa64f324c564733adb9891c93be5d/thumbnail_5136000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6393123/Louisiana/Commission-receives-178-Phase-2-applications-and-weighs-one-time-exception-to-score-late-submissions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6393123-b034d9f394d9ea9c1caafc4477a02500/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184522&Signature=gVSrvCCLlL-ZB0gul3Yi8qzTvionAmcYcAG62lqSVGL33tDHVtA0J9fI8MSgQIwtR6LxVa-SF5oRud0pH-G88umLU6qaGmwGcVVdGpuUSuCvu2pIr5Z1pZE1clsrf6mcj-UIyF4T0k4Eje8AifLHV9muELLX4-RuLicolsvKSWtXPYDLWVpmCvhlzeFojurbhUoW-QpyX8AgPelQevDvkUS~2kYTdLGMJdn08mrR5~COMeI5qhbbb0TvTZOSb4nUIJiu5rCH4Xaj6vs3ID6HGKVCjSJilrHnG2lhzkPqtAIgSbEix2DNMko~l3sAYgacL~Xj4ynnJ3qs~K8Ooky0fg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Water Sector Commission","date","2025-01-09T00:00:00Z","article","Tracy Watts told the Water Sector Commission that the division had received 178 Phase 2 applications seeking substantially more funding than available. “We received 178 applications totaling a request of 406,627,000,” she said, broken into 114 water applications (about $243,956,153) and 64 sewer applications (about $162,664,743). The division and partner agencies (LDH and DEQ) are reviewing applications and must provide funding recommendations by Jan. 27.

Why it matters: The total request far exceeds available program funds; commissioners voiced concern about fairness and workload when applicants submit after the portal deadline. Senator Bass asked the commission to allow one applicant (a sewer application from Bossier City represented by Wagner Engineering) to be scored as a late submission because the match commitment letter missed the submission deadline by a narrow margin. The senator framed the request as a single, limited exception and suggested the application be marked as late and not eligible for funding this round.

Staff and commission response: Division staff said the agencies could score additional complete applications but emphasized workload implications and the need to prioritize timely submissions. Staff proposed a compromise: score late but complete submissions, mark them as late in the recommendations spreadsheet, and exclude them from funding consideration unless the commission decides otherwise later. Members agreed staff could provide scored, marked results and bring them back for discussion so on-time applicants retain priority.

Next steps: Staff will proceed with scoring and will mark any post-deadline but complete submissions as late and indicate in the recommendations spreadsheet that they were not considered for funding in this cycle. Commissioners asked staff to present the scored late submissions separately and to allow applicants an opportunity to testify at a future meeting if needed.

Ending: The commission emphasized that on-time, complete applications will receive priority and that any scoring of late submissions will be informational and clearly marked in staff recommendations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Water Sector Commission 01/09/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Division staff reported 178 Phase 2 applications (114 water, 64 sewer) requesting far more than program capacity; commissioners debated — and discussed allowing — limited late submissions to be scored but noted they would not be eligible for funding this round.","taxTitle","Water Sector Commission, Boards & Commissions, Organizations, Executive, Louisiana","taxId",25915,"location","Louisiana","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6393124,"Commission hears staff: many grants have no expenditures; $33 million unobligated remains",271,82000,353000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2107736-90aaa64f324c564733adb9891c93be5d&start=82&end=353","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2107736-90aaa64f324c564733adb9891c93be5d/thumbnail_82000.jpg","/articles/6393124/Louisiana/Commission-hears-staff-many-grants-have-no-expenditures-33-million-unobligated-remains","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6393124-159664b4c9bde26efe94b66a50f55740/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184522&Signature=aLDUHSZz5lNTMy1gKy4kKsmn3b-RW5VUhUCI78Ktnv7LRb0w3CZfWWWCBRrNqBpDMYR8PNw4N2UTifWliL-bSZ0ru-kTu3hf53Mb4gYRrjrxNiW~XTOxjah78AJUL8L-bA1zppcDOgSQn302bP-dj4f--UA0fFlAry07A8QErISAtpITAGDQmFx~fzuElbYKBpG1Ye~pH8-cxJuQRFm~XP5dHf6VIqfIknGb1WvC3jytdseoH9aGK3o5cMr8DsobDOxRvU0pMkXsXj1R1ZX-vW7C3lzOf~wQ69jVDIH5A5h96JGWy12uC7EMWETgI22zL~ooSEmqS-iM81lefu~lbQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the start of the meeting, Tracy Watts, with the division, told the Water Sector Commission, “we have an unobligated amount of 33,021,750.” Watts said all federal funds were obligated and the $33.0 million is state program money remaining in the Water Sector account.

Why it matters: Commissioners repeatedly returned to the question of how to redeploy money from projects that are not progressing. Watts told the commission staff had reviewed grant files and found a large number of awards with zero expenditures — some are under contract but have not submitted payment requests, several have permission to bid but have not advertised, and many show no projected construction start date.

Staff summary: Watts said the division identified roughly 20 grants in round 1 and 2 with zero expenditures, four grants in round 1 that have permission to bid but have not yet done so, and 19 grants that currently have no begin date for construction. The division reached out to those grantees to request status updates and will follow up with letters asking whether they intend to proceed; if not, staff said those awards may be placed on a future agenda for withdrawal.

Commissioner concerns: Several members emphasized the need to reclaim funds promptly if grantees forfeit projects. Senator Reese asked whether funds from grants that are not moving forward could be used up-front on projects that can immediately expend federal dollars; Watts confirmed that the division’s payment procedures allow grantees to draw program funds before documenting local match and document match on the back end under revised procedures.

Next steps: The commission asked division staff to send formal status letters to grantees identified as inactive and to present a list at the next meeting of grants recommended for withdrawal if applicants do not demonstrate a credible timeline.

Ending: Commissioners framed the outreach as an effort to free money for viable projects: “We would want enough time to get that redeployed, get an entity awarded, give them adequate time to plan and get money expended as well,” one member said.","Division staff told the Water Sector Commission that roughly $33.0 million in state program funds remain unobligated while scores of previously awarded grants show no expenditures; commissioners directed staff to contact those grantees and consider withdrawing awards if projects are not viable.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":80,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":83,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6393129,"Water Sector Commission approves extensions and several funding increases, defers several large requests",6909,6991000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2107736-90aaa64f324c564733adb9891c93be5d&start=82&end=6991","/articles/6393129/Louisiana/Water-Sector-Commission-approves-extensions-and-several-funding-increases-defers-several-large-requests","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6393129-dc56e5a549b5006478cbfc6a75b78de5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184522&Signature=VJiwvueVzZ6IieKllswU3SlxZIJGa-7CvXcungBXKxbUEuc9YG3NNWuOHvTvvB4~MnRu4Gh2nuU3YEkdwpDh-OrS-PwkT9rHjoteLvgL94u038uL18jupQL76NPO-~ItrQXG0sAypzleqGSCwKS8Qvi9N7XSVp0fLQSeArX3VeApeMuex5dBaGtnxIm-csgtEb7GMhx7hhnNnIGTaC4REP8N1wyh5GIFcviYWIB1EM3TX6IpldXhyiLIuTAjw-j0ZaLwvylr-udT9yVqS2PJ-tsH390oB7fp8DwFjo6d5ePzqLXpC6yLWOBHtFsXXEXdhN3CqwFK0t00BDgTNfEaFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Water Sector Commission met and approved a string of procedural and funding actions, including two three-month deadline extensions for sewer grants and multiple requests for additional funding, while deferring several large or complex requests for further review.

Tracy Watts, with the division, told commissioners that “we have an unobligated amount of 33,021,750.” That balance, plus a separate line for terminated or rescinded grants (about 15,800,000 on the handout), framed members’ decisions on extensions and supplemental awards.

Why it matters: The commission is distributing a finite pool of state program funds while many previously awarded grants have not yet drawn funds. Commissioners repeatedly referenced projects that have not expended money and asked staff to seek status updates so the division can redeploy money if grantees do not move forward.

Key outcomes included: the commission approved motions without recorded roll-call votes for the following items during the meeting. Where the transcript records a motion and a unanimous voice approval (“hearing or seeing none”), those items are reported below as approved; if the transcript shows a deferment or no recorded disposition, that is reported as such.

- Approval of minutes: motion by Senator Bass; approved by voice.
- Delcom extension: approved (three-month extension to provide match verification). Motion by Representative Miller; no objection recorded.
- Generate extension: approved (three-month extension to provide match verification). Motion by Representative Borriault; no objection recorded.
- Calcasieu phase 4/5 bid advertising extension: approved (phase 4 extended to Feb. 28, 2025; phase 5 to July 31, 2025). Motion by Senator Reese; approved by voice.
- Breaux Bridal (water project) additional funding: approved. The project requested an increase (water sector share about 286,431; local match about 19,569), which would change the match from 76% to 53%; Representative Miller moved to approve and the motion passed by voice.
- Belmont Water Works additional funding: approved (increase about 365,903; water sector 292,722; local 73,181). Motion approved by voice.
- Maurice water project additional funding (small increase): approved; JLCB approval not required.
- A regional consolidation project represented by Gary Beard (the multi-community sewer consolidation) — the commission approved an additional $5,000,000 commitment from Water Sector funds to help close a roughly $9.8 million shortfall; members asked staff to recalculate match and return with updated numbers.

Deferred or held for later review:
- Jennings scope-change / large additional request: commissioners agreed to defer for more detail and value-engineering results and to return next month. Motion to defer was approved.
- Iberia Parish Sewer District No. 1 additional funding request: deferred to next month to allow the district to pursue other local options and to preserve a contractor’s bid hold period where possible.
- DuSall (referred to in transcript as \"Doosan\"/\"DuSall\") water project: deferred to next meeting for additional financial information and bonding capacity analysis; motion to defer approved.

Other procedural items: staff reported 178 Phase 2 applications were received (114 water, 64 sewer) requesting a combined total far larger than available program funds. Staff said they will provide scoring and funding recommendations by Jan. 27.

The commission took several of the actions listed above by voice motions that were recorded in the transcript as having no objections. There were a number of items that commissioners explicitly deferred so staff and applicants could provide additional financial detail (bonding capacity, value-engineering results, revised match calculations) before final decisions.

What’s next: Staff will follow up with applicants who have not drawn funds and those with zero expenditures to determine viability. Deferred applicants were asked to return at the commission’s next meeting with the requested information; staff will also recalculate match percentages where state funds or SRF loans would change match math.","The Water Sector Commission approved deadline extensions for two sewer grants, approved multiple increases for small-to-mid projects, approved a $5 million top-up for a regional consolidation effort, and deferred several substantial funding requests pending further information.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission receives 178 Phase 2 applications and weighs one-time exception to score late submissions

Commission hears staff: many grants have no expenditures; $33 million unobligated remains

Water Sector Commission approves extensions and several funding increases, defers several large requests