Williamson County Commissioners Court approved $253,415.70 in supplemental ARPA interest funding on Oct. 28 to help the city of Granger complete a bore under the Union Pacific railroad needed to connect a 12-inch water line to a new school, but commissioners demanded a detailed accounting of ARPA disbursements before final project closeout.

Commissioner Russ Bowles presented the request, saying a prior collapse of an 8-inch line under the railroad left the city short of sufficient fire-flow and potable-water connection for the new school. City engineer Scott Murrow told the court the initial bore attempts were unsuccessful after the contractor encountered unexpected subsurface anomalies; ground-penetrating radar identified repeating 18-inch anomalies roughly 4 feet below grade that are likely historic piers. Murrow said a geotechnical analysis recommended lowering the carrier pipe to about 20 feet and using a larger 30-inch casing pipe, increasing costs for larger bore rigs, deeper excavation and shore protection.

“Now all of that has increased the cost of this bore,” Murrow said, describing additional machine time, larger pipe and protective measures.

Commissioners questioned earlier project planning and invoicing. Commissioner Cynthia Long recalled multiple prior supplemental requests and asked county staff to confirm how much of previous ARPA allocations remain unspent. County Auditor Julie Kiley and city officials agreed to reconcile outstanding invoices; Granger’s mayor and engineer said some ARPA and CDBG-funded elements have been completed and that remaining costs relate specifically to the challenging railroad crossing.

Commissioner Bowles moved to approve the requested $253,415.70 from ARPA interest funds and asked county staff to verify invoice status. Commissioner Cook seconded. The motion carried with a majority of the court; the transcript records the court’s directive that the city and county auditor provide a detailed spreadsheet reconciling funds spent and remaining.

Why it matters: The failed bore affects potable water and fire protection for the new school and adjacent residents. Commissioners signaled willingness to assist but insisted on transparent accounting of county ARPA funds; staff were directed to return with reconciled invoices and a full ARPA disbursement spreadsheet.

What’s next: The county asked the city to submit outstanding invoices and for the auditor to provide a reconciliation by mid-November. The county’s action authorizes the payment but ties disbursement follow-up to fiscal review.

Quotes

“We're asking for some help to cover these bigger bore machines, the bigger pipe, the extra depth, the extra shore protection plan that we've gotta have for this project,” Scott Murrow, city engineer, told the court.

“We want a full accounting of all the county ARPA dollars,” Commissioner Cynthia Long said. “Julie, if you could just come back as soon as you get that done and present to the court.”

Ending: The court approved the supplemental funding but directed the city and county auditor to reconcile ARPA expenditures promptly and report back to the commissioners.