“This is the last step in this process,” County Judge Wade McKinney said. “This has been several months in the making.”

The PACE program provides low-cost, long-term financing for water and energy efficiency and conservation improvements to commercial and industrial properties.

Speaking during the public hearing were Gun Barrel City Councilwoman Linda Rankin, GBC Mayor David Skains, Tool City Councilman Michael Fladmark and Athens Economic Development Director Joanie Ahlers.

Texas PACE Authority President Charlene Heydinger was also present at the meeting. She recently met with Gun Barrel City officials concerning their interest in PACE. She informed them that because GBC did not collect a property tax the program would have to be implemented at the county level.