Urban Renewal Agency approves budget and allocates toward Keys Grove reservoir and small-business grants

The Scappoose Urban Renewal Agency approved its proposed FY 2025——26 budget and confirmed a contribution toward the Keys Grove reservoir project, along with ongoing small-business grants intended to spur improvements within the renewal district.

City Manager Ben presented the agency budget and said the urban renewal allocation includes approximately $2,078,000 toward city priorities and carries forward roughly $1.6 million from the prior fiscal year. The budget includes a $3,000,000 allocation for the Keys Grove reservoir project; staff said $1.6 million originally budgeted in FY 2024 was not spent and that ARPA and grant timing influenced the sequencing of expenditures.

The agency budget also budgets modest grant funding to incentivize business improvements; staff reported $69,151 in grants awarded in FY 2025 and budgeted $75,889 for the coming year for the program (the transcript referenced a beneficiary described as "Shelly's Express Learning Espresso").

Councilor Jacob moved to approve the urban renewal minutes and later made the motion to accept the urban renewal budget as presented; Councilor Holmes seconded, and the motion carried on a voice vote. Staff noted the urban renewal area can issue up to $37 million in obligations and that allocations tied to large utility projects (reservoir, later wastewater plant commitments) could keep funds committed for multiple years.

Agency members discussed scheduling a joint session with the urban renewal board and staff to review project lists and future priorities so that fund commitments remain aligned with master plans and development activity.

The agency approved the budget and directed staff to continue administering the small-business incentive program while prioritizing identified major capital commitments.