Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Stormwater Funding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners approve $1 million advance from stormwater fund to bridge grant reimbursements
Summary
Lorain County commissioners approved an advance of $1 million from the stormwater fund to provide working capital for ongoing state and federal stormwater projects while grant reimbursements are delayed.
The Lorain County Board of Commissioners approved a $1 million advance from the county stormwater fund on July 15 to provide working capital for watershed and stormwater projects while state and federal grant reimbursements lag.
A county staff speaker explained commissioners that the funds would move from the stormwater fund into watershed project accounts so contractors could be paid without delay. “The million dollars is coming out of the stormwater fund to basically advance us funds into our state and federal grant,” the staff speaker said during the appropriation discussion. The staff member said the county currently had about $1,100,000 outstanding in grant drawdowns and that the advance would allow the county to maintain timely contractor payments until reimbursements arrive.
Why it matters: Several ongoing stormwater projects rely on reimbursements from higher-level grants; delayed draws can leave contractors unpaid and slow work. The board’s action provides short-term liquidity while staff expect reimbursements to bring the money back into the stormwater fund later in the year.
Details: The staff presentation identified existing outstanding grant drawdowns of about $1.1 million and described the advance as temporary working capital. Commissioners indicated the county will return the advanced funds to the stormwater fund as reimbursements arrive and the year closes.
Decision and vote: The appropriation motion to approve the advance was moved and seconded on the consent agenda and recorded as approved during the board’s roll-call for appropriations.
Implementation: Staff said the advance will be transferred to watershed accounts and used to pay an existing purchase order and other contractor invoices; reimbursements will restore the stormwater fund balance as federal and state grants are drawn down.
Ending: Commissioners approved the advance to keep construction and watershed work moving on schedule while grant reimbursements are pending.
