Hampton considers water needs

[Dan Hildebran]

Hampton officials, Wednesday, could have chosen between two projects to improve their water system, but instead chose both. City council members were working a
gainst a May 19th deadline to apply for a community block development grant. Earlier, a citizens advisory task force had recommended using the $600,000 grant t
o replace water lines. But a grants consultant for the city recommended applying for a new wellhead instead.



"With a CBDG, you apply to the state, you've got a thousand point total," explained the advisor. "The highest point totals are the ones that actually get the g
rants. Certain projects give you certain points. So you try to get the maximum number of points on that application to score as high as possible, in order to r
eceive funds. And the project of a well is a 150-point project, which is the maximum the state has right now. The water lines is a 125. So in order to mainta
in that 25-point edge, that's why I would suggest the well because it's a higher point total."



But the consultant told the council there was a way to apply for both projects. City clerk Jane Hall told council members that Hampton might be able to secure
funding for a new well from the Suwannee River Water Management District. The consultant found a way to include the possible water district money into the CBDG
.



"We will list the roads for the water line replacement as your unaddressed needs because it's lower [in points]. That way if you're able to get some other do
llars to do the well, you still have the unaddressed needs you can come back and use the grant for."



The consultant said his approach would maximize Hampton's chances of securing a CBDG. "We're just looking to maximize points because the most points is what's
going to get you money."