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Pipestone County approves $71,200 state septic grant program for low‑income upgrades
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Summary
The county approved a $71,200 grant agreement with the Board of Water and Soil Resources: $21,200 for county program administration and $50,000 to fund low‑income septic repairs/upgrades (grants to cover up to about 70–75% of costs, capped at $10,000).
Pipestone County commissioners on Oct. 8 approved a septic grant agreement with the Board of Water and Soil Resources totaling $71,200, county staff told the board.
County staff described the award as two parts: $21,200 to administer the countywide septic program (permits, inspections and program management) and $50,000 for a low‑income grant pool to help households replace or upgrade failing septic systems. Staff said the county will use the state of Minnesota’s poverty chart (eligibility up to 300 percent of the poverty level, adjusted for household size) and that the grant typically covers about 70–75 percent of a system’s cost, not to exceed $10,000 per household.
The program is intended to complement an existing county septic loan program: eligible homeowners can take the grant and then borrow the remainder via the loan program to avoid out‑of‑pocket expenses, staff said. The county’s program includes a seven‑year occupancy requirement in the agreement to discourage property flipping after receiving grant assistance.
A commissioner asked whether the program was heavily used; staff said the county typically funds about eight systems per year from combined grant and loan resources and that annual grant/loan totals have ranged in the tens of thousands of dollars. Commissioners moved, seconded and approved the grant agreement.
The county will execute the agreement electronically, and staff will proceed with implementation and outreach to eligible homeowners.
