Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough said one of the first things that came to his mind about the funding was the ability to improve infrastructure.
“It was like it was tailored, and we needed it all along,” he said.
Keough said numerous roadblocks have prevented the county from being able to provide the needed assistance to Tamina but that the county has met “diligently” with Tamina residents and attorneys.
The $21 million from ARPA would be used by Shenandoah to make improvements to the existing sewer and water infrastructure, which has been in serious disrepair and service for an extended period of time. The plan would bring water lines and hook ups directly to each home in the area, as well as implement a clean sewage system.
“When it rained you would literally have human waste running down the streets,'' said state Rep. Steve Toth, who spoke about the lack of an adequate sewage and water system. “It would be egregious and wrong for Tamina to continue to be without sewer and water out there.”
Roche Coleman, senior pastor of Impact Church in The Woodlands, thanked the council for moving forward on the agreement. “We’ve done the due diligence as much as we could, but some of these things were beyond our economic ability. It’s been over 150 years and it’s long overdue.”
City Attorney Willian Ferebee informed the council that there were only select things in the agreement that could be changed, and as a result, recommended the passage of the contract as is.
“Every single person in Tamina that is served by the old Tamina water corporation was able to vote on the proposal, and the majority voted in favor,” Ferebee said.
Council Member Michael McLeod said the contract does not obligate the city to spend tax dollars on the improvements.
“This is one of the proudest days in the city of Shenandoah,” said Council Member Jim Pollard, former member of the city’s planning and zoning committee.
The motion to approve the agreement passed unanimously.
“Sometimes things happen exactly as they are supposed to happen, and this is one of those things,” said Council Member Ted Fletcher. “While people will want to give us credit... we didn’t get there by ourselves. There’s so many people to thank in the process of making this happen and I‘m just thankful we had the opportunity to be a part of it.”
