Harris County Commissioners set to discuss deadline for unfinished flood projects

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- Millions of dollars in grant funding for Harris County flood control projects are on the line as commissioners meet Thursday to discuss whether the projects will be finished on time.

The county received more than $300 million in grant money three years ago for 11 flood control projects. The problem is, the projects were supposed to be finished by February.

The county received a one-year extension in September, but it is still unclear if that will be enough time.

The issue was set to be discussed at a commissioners' court meeting last month, but it was delayed after Commissioner Adrian Garcia said the presentation lacked details.

The Texas General Land Office oversees the grant money.

A GLO spokesperson told ABC13 in October that the agency had concerns about the county's progress.

"In the past six months, HCFCD has only provided vague ideas and undefined concepts," the spokesperson said, adding, "Unfortunately, that is not how the HUD grant process works."

Garcia spoke to ABC13 last month about the importance of completing the projects.

"These projects are so important. Precinct 2 is on the downstream side of five counties. So getting these projects done is critical for my community," Garcia said.

The state says if the projects are not finished in time, the county could be responsible for millions of dollars to complete them.

Commissioners are set to meet Thursday morning to take up the issue.