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Board extends Richardson School historic grant and votes to reapply after design and procurement delays
Summary
Commissioners approved a modification to extend the Richardson School historic‑preservation grant to allow reimbursement of eligible expenditures, heard competing explanations for delays in procurement and design, and voted to reapply in the next state cycle beginning April 1.
The Columbia County Board of County Commissioners voted Jan. 14 to approve a modification extending a state historic‑preservation grant for the Richardson School project so the county can submit invoices and recover eligible expenditures incurred to date.
Grant administrator Shannon Williams told the board she had written the grant and said the county was originally scored for $500,000 and had pursued additional funding that later was reallocated after a heavy 2024 hurricane season. Williams said final construction drawings were completed in December 2025 and that without 100% plans the county was unable to go to bid earlier.
The extension motion prompted tension among commissioners who raised concerns about communications, procurement timing and design revisions required by state historic reviewers (notably window details). Chair and staff emphasized that approving the extension would permit reimbursement of work already performed and allow staff to return with a procurement plan; the board then also authorized staff to reapply in the next historic grant cycle (opens April 1, 60‑day application window) to pursue new funding.
Shannon Williams: "I wrote this grant ... We won fund $500,000," and later explained a planned additional $650,000 award was later reallocated following storms, a change she said contributed to the timing challenges.
Commissioners expressed frustration with earlier communication lapses and said the county needs clearer single‑point grant management; staff noted the county has recently hired a grants administrator and is preparing an RFP for grant management services. The board approved the extension and separately moved to reapply for historic funding during the spring cycle, directing staff to follow procurement rules and return with a coordinated application and timeline.
The board’s action allows the county to seek reimbursement for eligible project expenditures under the existing award and establishes a plan to pursue additional state funding once the cycle opens. Staff said if the county reapplies it should be shovel‑ready and could score well under future funding cycles.
