Mayor says city must approve Inner Harbor desalination project to access $750 million in state water funding. \n<\/p>\n
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas \u2014 Corpus Christi Mayor Paulette Guajardo is calling for a special emergency meeting of the City Council to vote on the proposed Inner Harbor desalination project after strong criticism from Governor Greg Abbott over the city\u2019s handling of its water supply.<\/p>\n
RELATED: ‘Lack of ability to make a decision.’ Governor Abbott critical of Corpus Christi leadership in city’s water crisis<\/a><\/p>\n In a Facebook post on\u00a0Wednsday, the mayor said the vote is necessary for the city to access\u00a0$750 million in state funding that has been allocated by\u00a0State\u00a0of Texas to help expand Corpus Christi\u2019s long-term water supply.<\/p>\n The announcement comes after Abbott warned that the state could step in if local leaders fail to make decisions regarding the region\u2019s growing water concerns. \u00a0<\/p>\n On Tuesday, Abbott said, \u201cWe provided them with $750 million –three-quarters of a billion dollars — in funding for them to address their water problem,\u201d he continues, \u201cYou know what they did? They squandered it and then they changed their plan and then they were indecisive about what to do.\u201d<\/p>\n Abbott argued the issue facing Corpus Christi is not a lack of water but a failure to act.<\/p>\n According to the mayor, approving the Inner Harbor desalination project would allow Corpus Christi to move forward with funding\u00a0intended\u00a0to create a\u00a0reliable and drought-resistant water source for the Coastal Bend.<\/p>\n City leaders say the vote is critical to ensure the city can move forward with the state-supported project.<\/p>\n The date for the emergency meeting is expected to be announced by the end of the week, Guajardo said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Guajardo is also calling on residents, business leaders\u00a0and\u00a0community stakeholders to attend the meeting and voice their support for securing the city\u2019s future water supply.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Inner Harbor desalination project must move forward immediately,\u201d the mayor said. \u201cThere can be no more delays.\u201d<\/p>\n More from 3NEWS on KIIITV.com: \u00a0<\/p>\n