The Bastrop City Council voted to pursue federal blight-clearance grant funding and approved a resolution designating the mayor as the city’s signatory for Delta Regional Authority (DRA) funds.

Jamie Mayo, an adviser to the city, told the council staff had met with grant consultant Roger Waxman to prepare an application to the Louisiana Community Development Clearance Program and that the grant deadline is December 15. Mayo said the program could provide up to $750,000 and that a consultant would not receive payment unless the grant was secured. "He does not get paid unless he secured the grant," Mayo said. The consultant's combined fee for writing and administering the grant was described as approximately $100,000, to be paid over roughly three years if awarded.

Council members debated the potential local match and fee obligations if the grant award is smaller than the maximum. Mayo and staff said the final award amount could vary and that the consultant fee is separate from grant award funds; local dollars would cover the fee if required by the resolution.

Council approved a motion to expand the agenda to consider the resolution making the mayor the DRA signatory, then adopted the resolution. "I make a motion that we expand the agendas in order to make the mayor the principal signer of the DRA funding," a councilmember moved; the motion carried. The council later voted to approve the blighted property clearance resolution, authorizing the city to apply for the grant and to enter into associated agreements if awarded.

Council and staff described the grant’s potential scope as targeting about 40–50 residential properties and two commercial properties for clearance work; the exact list and project details will be defined during application and planning. Staff said the consultant (if engaged after an award) would assist with administration and compliance for the multi-year project.

The motion to pursue the grant passed with no recorded dissent. Council asked for clarity on the matching requirement and the exact consultant contract before any disbursements would be made.