Woods County opens 2026 REAP account; three fire departments named as expected applicants

Meeting participants at a Woods County session voted to open the county's 2026 REAP account, clearing the way for local fire departments to apply for state REAP grants.

The action followed a presentation about REAP by an unidentified speaker (S2), who described the program as a state grant source for municipalities and emergency providers. "REAP is, is from the state... it's up to a $100,000 that they can get," S2 said, adding that "this year, we're gonna have 3" applicants: the Freedom, Tacoma and Winnebago fire departments.

Officials moved, seconded and recorded the motion as carried; the transcript records the procedural votes but does not list a roll-call tally of individual votes. The county also acknowledged related appropriations at the same meeting, including a highway D2 CIRB personal-services amount of $13,685.74 and a $50 transfer from the election board to personal services as a safety bonus.

Separately, the session recorded a planned transfer of $281,904.06 from the General Government Billing Fund to REIT for awarded REIT grants; a participant explained the total will be divided among recipients. The transcript does not provide further detail on the recipient breakdown or a formal roll-call list for that transfer.

Why it matters: REAP grants are intended to help local emergency services buy equipment and pay for eligible projects. Opening the 2026 account allows the county's departments to submit applications and positions the named departments to compete for awards of up to the program's stated maximum.

Next steps: The record indicates the county opened the account and moved on with routine business; applicants will pursue REAP funding through whatever state application process governs the program.