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Council renews grant-writing contract citing seven-figure results and pending awards
Summary
The council approved a one-year renewal with Merchant McIntyre Associates at $8,000/month after staff reported the firm helped secure over $21.6 million in federal funding for the city and has more than $11 million in pending applications, including several specific grant proposals.
The City Council unanimously renewed a services agreement with Merchant McIntyre Associates for competitive grant-writing and discretionary funding assistance at $8,000 per month for one year.
City staff told the council that since October 2023 Merchant McIntyre has helped the city secure $21,655,917 in federal funding and reported a claimed return on investment of roughly 112:1. Staff also listed more than $11 million in current pending applications, including specific items the consultant has assisted with: RAISE (pending contract), Safe Streets for All (completed or applied), Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) for $160,000 (received for hoses/nozzles), a body-worn camera application (~$111,000 pending), congressional direct spending items (~$782,000 pending), a Safe Streets for All corridor project (~$10.4 million pending), an NEA Our Town grant (~$99,000), a USDA Rural Business Development grant (~$43,000), Brownfields application work (deadline cited in January), and other projects.
Council members asked whether listed funds were in hand or still pending; staff replied that some grants were received and others (notably the RAISE contract) remained awaiting federal paperwork. The council approved Resolution 76-81 to renew the agreement; the motion passed 7-0.
Staff and council described the contract as an important part of the city's grant strategy but noted the city continues to write some state and local grants in-house.
