Michelle Howe, representing the Upland Regional Planning Commission, told the Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors the commission is asking the county to increase its annual membership dues to $19,668 to maintain regional programs and match grants.

Why it matters: Howe said the dues are used to leverage larger grant funds for transportation planning, housing rehabilitation and other regional services. She noted the commission administers programs across five northeast Iowa counties and that the regional plans help communities compete for state and federal funding.

At the meeting Howe summarized line items in the commission’s budget and recent accomplishments. The commission’s EDA planning allocation is listed at $3,800 while the DOT dues for 2026 were estimated at roughly $6,400; Safe Routes to School was shown with a preliminary budget of about $4,700. On housing, Howe said the region rehabilitated 107 homes recently after two rounds of pilot funding from the Iowa Finance Authority and described ongoing first-time homebuyer and rehab programs, including a first-time buyer down-payment assistance amount described as up to $32,000 and rehab assistance amounts that vary by program (housing trust fund rehab cited at $12,500; a veterans rehabilitation figure cited at $23,000).

Howe framed those numbers as evidence of return on investment: "your annual dues will be at 19,668," she said, and described the dues and membership match as tools used to capture other grant dollars for member communities.

Board reaction and next steps: Supervisors asked questions about program eligibility and local match requirements. The board did not take a formal vote on the membership request during the session and said staff would follow up with Howe and the regional commission if the supervisors want to act on the request.

Details and caveats: Howe noted some figures are preliminary and program limits are income- and project-specific; the presentation included examples of program eligibility (e.g., first-time buyer status can include people re-entering the housing market after divorce or long_gap ownership changes). The figures quoted at the meeting reflect what the commission presented and were not independently verified in the session.

The supervisors are expected to receive any formal funding request and supporting documentation from the commission before taking a vote.