County commissioners Tuesday gave approval to interim county judge Aurelio "Keeter" Guerra to submit a plan outlining the county's plans for distribution of $2.7 million in competitive funding.

The disaster assistance funds can only be used for the construction or repair of infrastructure damaged by last summer's hurricane that struck the county between Raymondville and Sebastian.

Because more than 80 percent of county residents are considered to be of low or moderate income and the fact that the county was hit by a natural disaster, the funds will be forthcoming from the Bush Administration. (They were approved late last year while President Bush was still in office).

$412,500 of the grant funds must go to rehabilitate homes damaged by the hurricane that were not reimbursed by insurance or by FEMA. The money will go to the colonias, like Los Angeles.

Another $2.7 million will go the county's incorporated cities, Raymondville, Lyford and San Perlita. Again those funds must be used for infrastructure repairs, bridges, roads, and drainage.

Altogether, the county will receive $5.5 million based on our population. The remaining funds will go to Cameron and Hidalgo counties based on their popul-ations.

The distribution plan approved by the county has been given the okay by the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council and will be submitted to Austin, by June 1.

A citizens advisory committee has been appointed to make recommendations to the county commissioners. The projects nominated will be scored. Water, sewer, streets and drainage projects will get 50 points, community centers and shelters are eligible for 20 points and damage assessment & mitigation can score 20 points. All other activities are approved for 10 points. Projects with the most points will be awarded, as long as funding remains.