This podcast is a visit with Brazos County judge Duane Peters and WTAW's Bill Oliver.

Brazos County commissioners on Tuesday approve a contract with the Brazos Valley Council of Governments (BVCOG) to administer a $6.9 million dollar federal pandemic grant.

Grant money will go to qualifying pandemic victims for rental and utility assistance.

Before the contract was unanimously approved, Brazos County judge Duane Peters said the decision was made for a third party to administer the grant and not the cities of College Station and Bryan.

Peters says BVCOG employees will set up an office in the Brazos County administration building to process applications in person, on the phone, and online.

The grant paperwork calls for distributing $5 million in rental assistance and $1 million in utility assistance to qualifying Brazos County residents.

During the county commission's March 30 meeting, BVCOG assistant executive director Michael Parks says the grant guidelines gives them until the end of September to award grants.

Parks was asked to return in two months to update commissioners, considering relatively short turnaround to screen applications and award grants.