Appleton approves TAP application for Southpointe Powerline Trail; staff says city would cover ~20% match if awarded

APPLETON CITY — The Appleton City Finance Committee on Sept. 22 approved Resolution 2025-12 to apply for a Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant to assist construction of the Southpointe Powerline Trail project, planned for 2029.

The committee voted 4-0 to authorize the application (agenda item 25-1138). During discussion, Alder Hartstein asked whether the resolution language — which states the city “has budgeted a sum sufficient to complete the project” — meant the city had fully funded the project or was only committing the matching portion. Staff clarified the intent was to cover the local match, not to obligate full project funding prior to a grant award.

A deputy director explained that $186,805 is the city’s budgeted amount and equates to roughly 20% of the project’s estimated cost (the project estimate discussed in the meeting was approximately $900,000). Staff said TAP awards can vary — federal funding levels could be 50%, 70% or up to 80%, and the city’s application is requesting an 80%/20% split (the city providing 20% local share). Officials emphasized the city is not obligated to spend matching funds until a grant is offered and accepted; any award would come back to the council for approval along with any required budget amendments.

After that clarification, committee members agreed to move forward with the application and the resolution passed unanimously. The item will return for formal acceptance and budget amendments only if the grant is awarded.