Collin County Soil Board Seeks Co-Sponsorship to Access Critical Funding

The Collin County Budget Workshop held on August 4, 2025, featured a presentation by Ben Sholes, Chairman of the Collin County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD). The meeting focused on the SWCD's past activities, current updates, and future funding requests.

Sholes began by expressing gratitude for the opportunity to address the county commissioners and highlighted the importance of building relationships with legislative representatives. He noted that the Collin County SWCD is unique in Texas as it lacks co-sponsorship with county government, which limits access to essential funding sources for maintaining and upgrading watershed dams.

During discussions with state legislators, the SWCD emphasized the need for continued support from the Texas Soil and Water Conservation Board. Sholes reported a verbal commitment from the city of Wylie to become a co-sponsor, which would enhance funding opportunities. He urged county leaders to encourage other cities to explore similar partnerships.

Sholes provided updates on the SWCD's operations, including the hiring of a full-time technician to inspect the county's 99 watershed dams. He noted that the SWCD has received over $420,000 in maintenance grants for Fiscal Year 2025, but changes in the upcoming fiscal year will require a 10% match from the county to access these funds. Additionally, without co-sponsorship, the SWCD will be ineligible for rehabilitation and repair grants, despite the pressing need for upgrades to many dams, with approximately 60% classified as high hazard.

The meeting underscored the critical need for collaboration between the county and the SWCD to ensure the safety and maintenance of watershed infrastructure. Sholes concluded by highlighting the urgency of developing emergency action plans for the dams, as the SWCD currently lacks the resources to fulfill this requirement.

Overall, the workshop emphasized the importance of securing funding and support for the SWCD to address the growing challenges posed by rapid development and aging infrastructure in Collin County.