Del Norte supervisors authorize one-year $75,000 contract with CSAC grants initiative

The Del Norte County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to authorize a one-year, $75,000 contract with the CSAC Grants Initiative to provide strategic grant-development services, including a funding plan and grant writing support.

The contract was moved by Supervisor Howard and seconded by Supervisor Starkey; the vote was recorded as unanimous in favor (Starkey, Short, Howard, Borges, Wilson). The board said the contract will be reevaluated after the one-year term.

The CSAC Foundation presentation to the board described a bundled service that pairs CSAC staff with consultants from the Ferguson Group to identify funding opportunities, develop a strategic funding plan, calendar likely notices of funding availability, and provide grant-writing and post-award compliance support. Veronica Smith, director of programs and grants for the CSAC Foundation, introduced the effort and described the initiative’s role: “My name is Veronica Smith, and I'm the director of programs and grants for the CSAC Foundation.”

Christy Moore of the Ferguson Group said the program aims to shift the county from a reactive grant-seeking posture to a proactive project-alignment approach. “The biggest priority though and the biggest need is to really be proactive,” she told the board, describing services that range from project blueprints to direct grant-writing.

Supervisor Starkey, who sits on the grants technical advisory committee, told the board the program is cheaper than hiring a full-time county grant position and praised its strategic emphasis. “This is more of a strategy,” Starkey said, describing the consultants’ plan to meet with departments and align projects to likely funding sources rather than forcing projects to fit grants.

During public comment, residents asked whether the fee is a one-time payment and whether the county would eventually hire staff. The board clarified the contract is for one year and that the county will reassess later. A member of the public with grant-writing experience also urged the board to confirm staffing levels and quality controls; the board and presenters said details are in the proposed contract and will be monitored by the county’s grants technical advisory committee.

The board directed county staff to finalize the contract and authorized the chair to sign. County staff and the grants technical advisory committee will receive periodic reports on the initiative’s activities and results.

Votes at meeting: Motion to authorize contract — mover: Supervisor Howard; second: Supervisor Starkey; vote: yes — Starkey, Short, Howard, Borges, Wilson (5-0).