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Sustainability committee floats paying residents to join climate input sessions using Focus on Energy grant
Summary
Committee members discussed using an existing Focus on Energy grant to offer stipends to residents for participation in community input sessions as the village updates its sustainability plan; staff will research the mechanics and report back next month.
The Village of Cross Plains Sustainability Committee on Sept. 12 discussed using Focus on Energy grant funding to pay community members to participate in input sessions for an updated sustainability plan.
Melissa Gavin, a member of the committee, proposed offering modest stipends to recruit deeper community participation, saying, “Which is probably a terrible idea, but sometimes terrible ideas help give other people good ideas.” Gavin suggested $50 stipends and said the committee could “probably afford, you know, 10 ish stipends” depending on the amount offered. Members discussed amounts ranging from $25 to $100 and the idea of using gift cards as the payout mechanism.
Committee members and staff framed the proposal as a way to move beyond low turnout for previous listening sessions and surveys and to gather “in-depth information” from residents. Carly (listed in meeting notes as staff) said she would research the grant rules and the mechanics of issuing stipends and report back at the next meeting. The committee did not take a formal vote on the idea; members agreed to revisit the topic next month after staff research.
The committee also noted alternative uses for the Focus on Energy grant, including hiring a grant writer—an idea some members said was considered but has waned in priority. No binding decision or expenditure was authorized at the meeting.
Next steps identified by the committee included staff research into whether the grant funds can legally be used to provide stipends (or whether gift cards would be a preferable mechanism) and returning the item to the committee agenda for a formal recommendation.
Ending: The committee left the stipend proposal unresolved and scheduled the topic for follow-up at the next regular meeting; staff were directed to return with options and any legal or administrative constraints.
