Kimley‑Horn, a civil engineering and planning firm, presented to the Glenn Heights City Council on Oct. 21 about state and federal funding opportunities for water, wastewater and flood‑mitigation projects and offered to help the city prioritize projects, prepare competitive applications and pursue funding.

Trent Hardgutter, a licensed professional engineer with Kimley‑Horn, and colleagues Tanya Miro and Juliana Mendoza described the firm’s experience helping municipalities pursue State Revolving Funds (SRF), zero‑interest flood infrastructure loans/grants, and federal programs such as EPA’s WIFIA loan program and Bureau of Reclamation grant programs.

Miro said the firm helps cities “tell the story” in grant applications and prioritize capital projects. She described several funding buckets commonly used by Texas cities, including SRF drinking-water and clean-water programs, which can provide long‑term loans, and the flood infrastructure fund, which offers a mix of zero‑interest loans and grants. She noted that many programs require detailed project information forms and competitive narratives.

Kimley‑Horn staff described several federal programs the firm can help leverage. They noted the Bureau of Reclamation’s drought‑response grants can provide $500,000 to $5 million, typically on a 50/50 cost‑share basis, and mentioned project design and water strategy grants of up to $400,000 that can fund planning, outreach and design work. A firm presenter described WIFIA as a loan tool that can be combined with SRF and other sources to provide a credit line for larger projects.

Council members pressed the consultants about legacy contracts with Dallas Water Utilities (DWU) and Trinity River Authority (TRA). A council member said the city is paying “an inordinate amount” under legacy agreements; Kimley‑Horn said regional planning and coordination with neighboring cities could help Glenn Heights evaluate alternatives and long‑term strategies to reduce costs.

City staff said Kimley‑Horn is working in the background and that, if the city wishes to proceed, a formal contract for services would be brought to the council for approval. The presentation closed with an offer from Kimley‑Horn to assist with ranking projects, assembling applications and managing the application lifecycle.