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Jasper County council considers outsourcing discretionary grant administration to Community Foundation of the Lowcountry
Summary
Council heard a staff proposal for the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry to administer discretionary appropriations (about $710,100) and local accommodations awards ($419,001.97). Members pressed for oversight provisions, reporting cadence, committee composition, and potential administrative fees; staff will return with a proposal and a follow-up workshop with CFL.
County staff presented options to have the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry (CFL) administer selection, vetting and reporting for Jasper County’s discretionary appropriations.
Unidentified Speaker S8 said county staff reached out to CFL to explore establishing a Jasper County Grants Advisory Committee and asked the council to advise on several questions: whether the council wants to review or approve CFL recommendations or delegate decisions fully; timing for CFL recommendations relative to the FY27 budget calendar; whether the county should use an RFP/invitation process or open applications; and when funds would be transferred to CFL if adopted.
Unidentified Speaker S2 walked through five specific questions and provided figures from the prior year: the county’s discretionary agency appropriations totaled about $710,100 and local accommodations and hospitality awards were $419,001.97. S2 told the council CFL had indicated willingness to administer the awards but had questions about timelines, committee structure and transfer timing.
Several council members urged retaining meaningful oversight. "I do think the council needs oversight on it," said Unidentified Speaker S7, who recommended at minimum the ability to review CFL recommendations and requested monthly or quarterly reports if funds are managed externally. Other members raised concerns about administrative costs for CFL and whether restricted funds and discretionary funds should be handled differently.
Staff suggested a framework in which CFL would handle accounting, vetting and reporting while council decisions on what gets funded would remain subject to council direction. Members discussed splitting funds into discretionary and restricted tranches, possible draw or receipt systems to improve tracking, and the option of appointing a small internal committee (a two-member committee was referenced as used previously) to streamline preliminary work.
Concerns about timing and cash flow surfaced: a member asked when reassessment-based revenue forecasts for FY27 will be available; staff said roughly mid-April. Some members suggested postponing any full transfer of funds until after tax dollars arrive in January to avoid borrowing or cash-flow pressure.
The council asked staff to return with a more detailed proposal, cost estimates for CFL’s administration fee, recommended committee charge and membership, and reporting templates. Staff agreed to invite CFL staff for a workshop to walk through options.
Closing: the council ended the workshop by voice vote after a motion to come out of workshop passed; staff will schedule follow-up workshopping and provide the requested details.
