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Waynesville approves resolution to preserve DEQ bridge-loan application and bonus points
Summary
Town of Waynesville adopted Resolution R-20-25 to submit and "bank" a DEQ bridge-loan application so the town retains eligibility and the program's 50 bonus points for future grants, even though DEQ trainers said the bridge program was set aside due to funding cuts.
The Town of Waynesville board voted to adopt Resolution R-20-25 to submit an application to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) for the agency's bridge-loan program and to "bank" that application if the program is later restored. Mayor (unnamed) put the resolution on the floor and the board approved it by voice vote.
Rob, who addressed the board, said he and Ian attended a DEQ training where staff indicated the bridge program had been set aside after the General Assembly reduced available funds. Rob told the board the bridge loan could be "up to $3,000,000," would include about $200,000 for technical assistance, and — most importantly to staff — would yield 50 bonus points on future DEQ grant applications. He said the town already has two bridge loans from the State Treasurer's office totaling about $835,000.
Rob said DEQ staff told attendees the bridge program had been set aside because the legislature reduced the program's funding. "My recommendation that you go ahead approve the resolution and we'll bank it so that if for some reason they come back up and say, `Oh, our bad,' we'll accept your application afterward," Rob said. He said he revised the draft resolution to note DEQ had placed the program on hold but asked DEQ to retain Waynesville's application and to award the 50 bonus points the program promised.
The board recorded no roll-call vote in the transcript; the presiding officer called for "all in favor" and members responded "Aye." The resolution gives staff formal authorization to submit the paperwork and to preserve the town's place in DEQ's queue if the program is revived.
Board members did not object during the question period and the mayor then moved forward with the motion. The resolution is intended to improve the town's competitiveness for a separate $5,000,000 DEQ grant application that staff said they planned to file the next day. The board did not receive a firm timetable from DEQ on a restoration of bridge-loan funding; Rob said the program had been set aside at the training and that no funds were immediately available.
The board's action authorizes staff to finalize and submit the application materials and to seek the nonmonetary benefit (50 bonus points) for future grant cycles should DEQ confirm that award. Next procedural steps in the transcript: staff will keep the application on file and seek any required follow-up with DEQ.
