RAYMONDVILLE — Willacy County’s cutting it close.
For about five years, two county administrations have planned to build a proposed federally-funded storm shelter near Raymondville High School, where it would double as the county’s first Boys and Girls Club.
But yesterday, with time running out on a $750,000 federal grant, commissioners voted to change the site of the 8,000-square-foot shelter to the Willacy County Housing Authority, outside the city limits.
County Judge Aurelio Guerra said he will ask the housing authority to pitch in $200,000 to help fund the project.
Guerra said officials turned to the housing authority to help “salvage” the grant.
But the change in plans will cost the county an additional $137,500, engineer Joe Muñoz told commissioners.
And based on the grant’s requirements, the county would be responsible for any cost overruns after March 31.
“That is obviously one thing you need to understand and consider,” Muñoz told commissioners.
Muñoz said the county has until Aug. 31 to launch construction — or lose the grant.
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