by KOLTEN PARKER
The Hays County Commissioners Court has hired an insider to help it navigate the application process for a piece of $74 million in federal funds expected to flow to Central Texas over the next three years.
The court on Tuesday hired Michael Aulick, Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization’s former executive director. CAMPO, which covers Hays, Travis, Williamson, Caldwell and Bastrop counties, coordinates transportation planning in the region – including dividing up road funds.
Pct. 2 Commissioner Mark Jones said he is interested in funding a number of local projects through the process including the completion of improvements to Dacy Lane, improvements to Old Black Colony Road and the construction of eight proposed access ramps between Kyle and Buda on Interstate 35.
Jones said he will meet with Aulick and Jerry Borcherding, Hays County Engineer, to analyze these and other CAMPO developments. The goal will be to develop a prioritized list of projects based on which have the best chance of being funded, Jones said.
The application process is complex and requires knowledge of the ins and outs of CAMPO and TxDOT, Jones said.
Aulick has worked for TxDOT as well as having served as the executive director of CAMPO from 1992 to 2008. He will be paid from the roads and construction budget at a rate of $125 per hour, not to exceed $25,000.
