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Commissioners direct staff to negotiate green‑grant MOU with Eco Action Partners; potential $100,000 rent‑fund allocation discussed
Summary
County staff briefed the board on a proposal to use renewable energy mitigation (rent) funds to join a regional green grants program administered by Eco Action Partners. Commissioners directed staff to negotiate an MOU and return with contract details and appropriation needs.
San Miguel County commissioners on March 5 discussed a proposal to dedicate rent‑fund (renewable energy mitigation) dollars to a regional green grants program administered by the nonprofit Eco Action Partners.
Star (county natural resources staff) described the county’s current rent fund balance of $159,073 and proposed committing up to $100,000 to a green grants program that would offer awards ranging from small project incentives to larger grants for renewable energy, efficiency and electrification projects. Staff presented an analysis showing applicants would receive larger net benefit under a grant competition versus a simple matching rebate program.
Eco Action Partners plans a consolidated application platform and a single grant review cycle; awards would be announced after applications are reviewed and successful projects completed. Staff said that timing makes it likely grants funded by a 2025 allocation would be paid out in 2026, and that county finance would need to process reimbursements and checks to awardees. County finance clarified that if funds are distributed in 2025 a supplemental appropriation would be required; otherwise appropriations would be set in the 2026 budget process.
Commissioners asked about administrative fees. Staff said Telluride’s current administrative fee for administering its local program is smaller (about 5.3%) and that Eco Action Partners had suggested a 10% fee for an expanded regional program; staff will request fee details and include them in a proposed MOU. The board directed staff to work with Eco Action Partners to draft a written agreement and return to the board with contract language, final fee schedules and any supplemental appropriation requests.
Ending — Staff will negotiate an MOU with Eco Action Partners, clarify the administrative fee structure and return to the board with a proposed contract and appropriation resolution. Commissioners emphasized preference for shovel‑ready applicants and asked staff to consider how the program can prioritize projects in under‑served parts of the county.
