Columbia County to pursue state energy-resilience and federal disaster-mitigation grants

Columbia County commissioners authorized staff on Feb. 5 to apply for a state energy-resilience planning grant and to pursue federal disaster-mitigation funding for infrastructure projects including culvert work and bridge replacements.

The board voted to submit an Oregon Department of Energy (ODE) resilience grant application—counties are eligible for up to $50,000 for an energy-resilience plan—and to seek larger federal mitigation awards through Homeland Security programs that staff said can fund projects up to several million dollars. Commissioners approved the actions by voice vote and designated an authorized county representative to sign required grant documents.

County emergency-management and facilities staff told the board the ODE grant would fund the creation of an energy resilience plan to identify critical infrastructure, document which facilities need generators, and make the county more competitive for larger grants later. "This grant pays for our materials, supplies and staff time," a county staff member said during the discussion.

County staff described possible uses of the ODE planning grant and subsequent funding: ensuring the courthouse and fairgrounds have generator coverage; identifying locations for community charging stations (for devices, not vehicle fast chargers) and generator-equipped shelter sites; and producing documentation that improves the county’s standing for state and federal mitigation funds. Staff said the ODE planning grant is intended to create the study and work that will allow the county to apply later for larger ODE or federal funds.

Separately, the board discussed federal mitigation opportunities to address county drainage and access vulnerabilities. Staff briefed the board on candidate projects: replacing a culvert on Levee Gate Avenue to protect a levee and reduce flooding; replacing or rebuilding the CZ Trail pedestrian bridge (also referred to in packet materials as a long-discussed trail bridge); and replacing a bridge at the Camp 8/Willow Trailhead (staff said some bridge beams might be available from Tillamook County). Staff emphasized that bridge projects typically require a 25% local match and that some funding programs have a 12–16 month lead time between award and project funding availability.

Staff said Washington-state and federal grant programs can accept a number of projects in an application, and that careful project naming and description matter in reviews; a county representative told the board a reviewer recommended avoiding the word "culvert" because reviewers sometimes de-prioritize small-sounding projects.

Board action and authorization: - Authorize submission of the ODE county energy-resilience grant application (county eligible up to $50,000); designate a county staff member as the authorized representative to sign and submit grant documents. Outcome: approved by voice vote. - Authorize pursuit of federal Homeland Security / disaster mitigation funding and allow staff to work with partner jurisdictions and community organizations to prepare applications, including projects that would require local matching funds. Outcome: approved by voice vote.

Staff noted next steps: compile project cost estimates, coordinate potential local matches (public works, parks and partners were named), and return cost estimates and final applications to the board if required by grant timelines. A staff member who participated in recent regional grant discussions said a representative named Gustavo offered assistance and that project timing for award notifications could be 12–16 months after application.

Commissioners asked staff to coordinate with public works and parks on matching funds and to bring finalized application materials back to the board for formal authorization as required by the grant rules. The board’s authorization allows staff to proceed promptly so the county does not miss impending application deadlines.