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DETCOG Board Approves Solid Waste Grants Program

 
San Augustine, Texas – Members of the Deep East Council of Governments (DETCOG) board met Thursday for their first meeting of 2017. They faced a full agenda with a wide range of business.
 
The chairman of the Solid Waste Advisory Committee, Jasper County Commissioner, Charles Shofner presented a proposal for a Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) grant. The plan approved by the board would bring $166,000.00 into the region to be used to make ten grants of $16,000.00 each. An additional $6,000.00 would be available for a DETCOG managed region wide program. The categories approved to be eligible for funding involve waste collection, recycling and litter clean-up. More information on the application process will be made available after the program receives TCEQ approval.
 
DETCOG Executive Director Lonnie Hunt reported the recent Deep East Texas Legislative Reception was all the talk in the Texas House of Representatives the following day. He noted the huge crowd and attendance of not only all Deep East Texas House Members and Senator Robert Nichols, but also Texas House Speaker Joe Straus and representatives of most state agencies. Hunt went on to thank its sponsors for making the event possible and asked for any suggestions they might have for the next reception.
 
In other business the board approved updates to the DETCOG Regional Housing Plan. The changes concerned the recertification of clients who move and how utility reimbursements were processed. In his report DETCOG Executive Director Lonnie Hunt reported personnel changes were underway in the program and that a consultant had been brought in to suggest ways that the Regional Housing Program could be run more efficiently.
 
The board also approved a resolution recognizing February 11, 2017 (2/11/2017) as 2-1-1 Texas Day. Dialing 2-1-1 from anywhere in Texas connects you to a free, anonymous, social services hotline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Callers can get information about non-profit local and state health and human services programs. 2-1-1 Texas is a program of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and the Deep East Texas Council of Governments.
 
The next DETCOG Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 23, 2017.  The meeting is scheduled to be held in Houston County.
 

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