Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Local Funding And Grants topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Grand Foundation and county outline Community Priorities Fund process; board to decide committee makeup next week
Summary
Grand County and the Grand Foundation reviewed draft guidelines April 15 for a Community Priorities Fund financed by lodging-tax revenue; staff proposed one 2025 grant cycle and a 20% reserve and asked the board to approve committee makeup next week.
On April 15 the Board of County Commissioners and the Grand Foundation reviewed draft guidelines for a Community Priorities Fund to be seeded by 50% of a county lodging-tax allocation. The fund will target priorities such as workforce housing, childcare, and projects that enhance visitor experience.
Megan Lehi, executive director of the Grand Foundation, presented a draft timeline and committee structure. For 2025 staff proposed one funding cycle (applications open Aug. 1, due Sept. 5) and recommended holding back 20% of 2025 receipts to build an initial fund balance. The county’s finance timeline means fourth-quarter lodging revenues will be realized in early 2026, so staff recommended a single 2025 award cycle.
Participants discussed committee composition at length. Two basic options were presented: (1) one representative from each incorporated municipality plus an unincorporated-county representative and two Grand Foundation board members; or (2) three commissioner-appointed representatives (one per commissioner district), two Grand Foundation board members and one unincorporated-county representative. Commissioners asked staff to return with written options and to include example eligible projects that would “enhance the visitor experience” (transportation, park maintenance, wayfinding/visitor communications were suggested).
Commissioners and the Grand Foundation agreed the fund should prefer projects with measurable results and that the fund is not intended to provide long-term sustainable operational funding as a rule, though the guidelines would allow discretionary exceptions. The board asked staff to return next week with committee-structure options and clarified application and reporting expectations.
Ending: The county and Grand Foundation will publish the draft guidelines, solicit applicants in August for a single 2025 cycle, and return to the board with a specific committee membership recommendation next week. Staff will add examples of visitor-experience projects and refine language on duplication of funding and final-report requirements.
