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Mesquite RDA keeps grant program open through March 30, 2025 as agency nears 30-year sunset
Summary
The City of Mesquite Redevelopment Agency voted to continue accepting and processing RDA grant requests through March 30, 2025, while staff work to encumber funds for large capital projects and clarify remaining budgets for an estimated $14,000,000 in RDA reserves.
The City of Mesquite Redevelopment Agency voted to continue its current grant program through March 30, 2025, the board decided after a discussion about how to handle roughly $14,000,000 remaining in RDA funds as the agency’s 30-year plan approaches expiration.
Martine, who introduced the agenda item, said the redevelopment plan began in 1995 and “expires March of next year,” and that the RDA has about $14,000,000 remaining to allocate. She told the board that some earmarked projects — including a new fire station and an animal shelter — do not yet have final bids, complicating decisions about how to set money aside and complete reimbursements to private projects.
Councilwoman Fielding urged keeping grants available to Mesquite businesses through the March deadline so entrepreneurs could still apply, saying the RDA’s purpose is “to assist businesses who qualify” and asking that any late grant requests be brought to the board for review. Finance director Nicole Thorne, calling in by phone, recommended entering purchase orders for approved grants to encumber those amounts and avoid leaving funds unencumbered.
Board Member Bogaer moved to continue the redevelopment agency grant program through March 30, 2025; Board Member Gallo seconded the motion. The board voted and the motion passed.
Board members and staff discussed practical steps for reserving funds, including using purchase orders to encumber specific grant awards or temporarily moving funds to a budgeted account so the money remains available for approved projects. Martine and others said they expect more complete bid numbers by January or February for major capital projects and that staff will return with more specific allocations.
The board’s decision leaves the RDA open to approve grants received and encumber them before the program’s legal expiration, while staff prepare details for how remaining funds may be earmarked and used. The agency did not take any final action to close the RDA program or transfer funds beyond the direction to continue processing grants through the stated date.
Next steps: staff will gather bids and recommended encumbrance amounts for projects on the agency’s list and present those amounts to the board and on the subsequent city council agenda as required.
