The Board of County Commissioners approved revised Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) policy criteria to provide clearer standards for cities seeking county participation in abatement programs.

Under the updated policy, the county raised the minimum improvement threshold for residential projects from $10,000 to $15,000 and for commercial projects from $15,000 to $25,000. The board also agreed to allow a 15-year maximum rebate period for commercial and mixed-use properties located in designated downtown or historic districts (residential maximum rebate period remains 10 years). County staff said the change was intended to incentivize rehabilitation of older downtown buildings and to give cities clear expectations when requesting county participation.

County staff said they had consulted with city officials from El Dorado, Augusta and Andover; El Dorado had indicated support for the proposed changes. Commissioners approved the policy update at the meeting.