Route County staff on July 28 updated commissioners on several funding items: a Motorized-Only (MMOF) or related transportation funding recommendation that included a reduced match requirement, ongoing funding shortfalls for the county solar project, and a housing-authority request for a letter supporting a Colorado River District grant to upgrade water infrastructure at Whitehaven Mobile Home Park.

Staff said the county’s MMOF-related request asked for $250,000 and had requested a 0% match; the selection committee recommended a 25% local match, which would require Route County to provide $62,500. Staff reported the Transportation Planning Region endorsed the committee recommendation and that the item did not require Transportation Commission approval. There was some internal confusion among CDOT staff about whether a 50% to 25% match reduction required Transportation Commission review; the county’s Transportation Commissioner believed that reducing a match from 50% to 25% did not require the commission’s approval, while county staff said they would confirm the procedural questions.

On renewable-energy funding, commissioners raised concerns that the county’s solar project has lost grant opportunities and could be further affected if the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) is reduced or eliminated; county staff said they were pursuing philanthropic conversations and meeting with stakeholders including the local electric association (YVEA) and private funders to close gaps.

Staff also reported the housing authority had requested a letter of support for a Colorado River District grant to upgrade the water system at Whitehaven Mobile Home Park; commissioners signaled broad support to place that letter on a future consent agenda. Separately, staff said the county used Colorado River District funding previously to support wastewater projects (Milner and Peaberg) and anticipated hiring a painting contractor for Milner to address neighbor concerns.

On dispatch funding notices, staff reported pushback from some smaller agencies and planned follow-up and a joint meeting with the City of Steamboat Springs on Aug. 11 for negotiation and discussion.

Ending: Commissioners asked staff to continue outreach to philanthropic and grant partners to shore up funding gaps for the solar project, to confirm CDOT/TCR procedural questions on match requirements, and to advance the Whitehaven water-improvement support letter to consent when appropriate.