LCRA awards $8,538 grant to the City of Brackettville for new UTV

Utility task vehicle will enhance public safety, improve response time to calls

MAY 2, 2024

Lower Colorado River Authority representatives present an $8,538 grant to the City of Brackettville for a new utility task vehicle. The grant is part of LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program. Pictured, from left to right, are: Kate Ramzinski, LCRA Regional Affairs representative; Alma Gutierrez, grant writer; Nora Rivas, city administrator; Eric Martinez, mayor; Michael L. “Mike” Allen, LCRA Board member; Refugio Martinez, City of Brackettville alderman, Place 1; and Candy Hobbs, grant writer.
BRACKETTVILLE, Texas – The City of Brackettville will purchase a new utility task vehicle for city crews to use in responding to service calls, thanks to an $8,538 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority.

The Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with $2,135 in matching funds from the city, will enable Brackettville to purchase a UTV to provide transportation for city maintenance employees responding to service requests, maintenance calls and emergencies.

“Our small town has a lot of tight streets and narrow alleyways, so a UTV will enable city maintenance employees to maneuver through the city much easier,” City Administrator Nora Rivas said.

“Whether it’s fixing a gas line outage, repairing water lines or responding to an emergency, UTVs allow workers to reach required locations quickly and efficiently,” she said. “This improved response time ensures that essential services are restored and maintained properly.”

The City of Brackettville has a population of about 1,300 people.

In addition to providing a convenient way for employees to respond to calls, the new UTV also will be a welcome addition to the city’s vehicle fleet, as Brackettville does not have enough city-owned vehicles for all maintenance employees to use in their daily work.

The community grant is one of 44 grants awarded recently through LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program, which helps volunteer fire departments, local governments, emergency responders and nonprofit organizations fund capital improvement projects in LCRA’s wholesale electric, water and transmission service areas. The program is part of LCRA’s effort to give back to the communities it serves.

Applications for the next round of grants will be accepted in January. More information is available at lcra.org/cdpp.

About LCRA

The Lower Colorado River Authority serves customers and communities throughout Texas by managing the lower Colorado River; generating and transmitting electric power; providing a clean, reliable water supply; and offering outdoor adventures at more than 40 parks along the Colorado River from the Texas Hill Country to the Gulf Coast. LCRA and its employees are committed to fulfilling our mission to enhance the quality of life of the Texans we serve through water stewardship, energy and community service. LCRA was created by the Texas Legislature in 1934 and receives no state appropriations.

Contact Info

Clara Tuma, Public Information Officer
512-578-3292
[email protected]
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