County Would Split Church Hill School Recognition Cost With Federal Grant

The proposed $15,000 project would produce the research, photographs and maps required for a National Register nomination.

By Comal.News Government Desk · Source-linked local reporting

Published August 18, 2026 at 9:07 AM CDT2 min read

Proposed for Aug. 20 vote

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An airy cream and muted-blue illustration of a stone schoolhouse beneath a large tree, with blank papers and a red paper clip in the foreground. — Illustration: Nomination papers rest outside a historic stone schoolhouse.Original editorial illustration; not a photograph and does not depict the reported event or an exact property.Comal.News Visual Desk · Original illustration · Source ↗ · Comal.News original illustration ↗

Comal County residents would wait until 2028 for state review, while the county would cover half the cost of researching and writing the nomination.

The proposed agreement would split a $15,000 professional nomination project evenly between a federal preservation grant and Comal County cash.

Commissioners are scheduled to consider the agreement at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 20. Approval would authorize the county judge to sign the contract; the nomination would still face state and federal review.

What the Project Would Produce

The budget covers consultant research, fieldwork, draft preparation and revisions, project coordination, materials and travel. The finished package must include current interior and exterior photographs, maps, historic images and documentation addressing the property’s significance and integrity.

The county must use federal procurement standards to select a qualified nomination preparer. The Texas Historical Commission must approve the procurement steps and issue a notice to proceed before subcontracted work begins.

The Path to a Federal Decision

The contract provides two possible schedules: a January 2028 or May 2028 State Board of Review meeting. After state review and any required revisions, the Texas Historical Commission would send the nomination to the National Park Service, which has 45 days after receipt to act.

The Aug. 20 Commissioners Court vote is the next public checkpoint. A recorded decision and later procurement documents would show whether the project proceeds, who prepares the nomination and which state-review schedule applies.

From the source record

Proposed funding split · %

Federal share50%

County cash match50%

The contract lists a $15,000 total project cost and no in-kind contribution.

Proposed funding split for the Church Hill School National Register nomination.Source: Texas Historical Commission contract CLG-TX-26-007.

County Would Split Church Hill School Recognition Cost With Federal Grant

What the Project Would Produce

The Path to a Federal Decision

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