The Lander County Board of Commissioners discussed revisions to the county’s Business Improvement Program at length on June 12, focusing on long-term stewardship of county-funded storefront and facade grants.

Why it matters: Commissioners said the program’s intent is not merely to "beautify" downtown but to support long-term business viability and prevent quick flips that yield private profit from county-funded improvements. Commissioners proposed a payback mechanism if a grant recipient sells the business within an agreed period.

What was discussed: Planning staff presented an edited draft of the guidelines that clarified project timelines and removed an unused rating-sheet requirement. The commission then debated adding a provision to require repayment of a prorated portion of grant funds if a business sells the property or business within a defined window after receiving county funds. Commissioners favored a prorated recapture schedule (for example, five years pro-rated annually) and discussed tying maintenance agreements to that same period so the obligation remains attached to the parcel until any required reimbursement is satisfied.

Directives and next steps: Commissioners asked staff and legal counsel to draft specific language to (1) record a maintenance agreement against the parcel, (2) set a maximum grant amount (the packet already shows a $25,000 maximum), and (3) create a prorated recapture schedule and recorded release procedure (for example, recording a release when the prorated repayment is completed). Commissioners indicated a preference for a five-year term with a prorated payback and suggested the county model language on existing local redevelopment programs that use a similar recapture.

Ending: The board took no separate final vote on the guideline text at the meeting; staff will return with revised language incorporating the prorated repayment and five-year maintenance period for future approval.