Commission debates moving from two grant cycles to one; no formal vote taken

Program staff proposed that after the current cycle the commission move from two grant rounds of $750,000 each to a single annual cycle awarding $1,500,000 at the end of the fiscal year. Staff said the change would reduce workload for program staff and the technical advisory committee and would let applicants request full project budgets without phasing.

Caden argued the two-cycle model doubled program work and complicated reporting: “For example, our current grant cycle opened before our funding agreements from the last one were complete... it creates double the work for the program and makes reporting and tracking these grants very difficult.”

Supporters of one cycle said it would let staff spend more time on outreach and project quality and reduce the number of times TAC must meet. Opponents said two cycles offered applicants a second chance within the year and sped money to the field; Commissioner Coughlin urged staff to “do your job” and emphasized funds should go to the community quickly.

Commissioners discussed alternatives: keeping two cycles but increasing outreach and website marketing, shifting cycle timing, or hiring additional staff to handle workload. Staff said moving to a fiscal-year cycle would allow funding agreements to begin July 1 and suggested implementation for fiscal year 2026 if approved.

No formal vote on the grant-cycle change occurred; the item was left open for further information and outreach. Commissioners asked staff to return with budget breakdowns and pros/cons, and to explore additional outreach options before making a final decision.

Ending: The commission deferred action and directed staff to provide more analysis, budget detail and outreach planning for a future meeting.