Newton County discusses roughly $400,000 in questioned TDM receivables and property-sale limits

Newton County Commissioners Court spent substantial time May 14 reviewing outstanding receivables and property-liquidation issues tied to TDM-related projects. County staff told the court that roughly $400,000 in expenditures associated with prior projects have been identified by the grant administrator as disallowed; staff said an itemized, written explanation had not yet been provided and that the county is awaiting documentation before moving to sell any county-owned properties to recoup funds.

County officials said some properties are in flood-prone areas and unlikely to fetch market prices sufficient to cover receivables; several commissioners urged negotiating long repayment schedules and zero-interest terms if the county is required to repay the grant administrator. The judge and staff noted that some properties are restricted by grant terms and cannot be sold, while others may be sold if written authorization is provided.

A court staff member described the administrative uncertainty: "It's roughly $400,000 that they said was not allowed expenditures; we don't know what it is." Commissioners discussed potential political and administrative remedies, including appeals to state officials and requests for extended repayment terms.

The court took no immediate action to pay the receivables; staff will continue to pursue written justification and options for repayment plans or property disposition, and the court asked to revisit the matter in a future meeting.