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Board signals support to run final county development fund grant cycle as apportionment falls
Summary
NRM director told commissioners the county development fund grantable amount for 2026 is $16,426 and recommended spending it down; commissioners directed staff to run a grant cycle and discussed possible funding levels, with one commissioner proposing $100,000 and others favoring the maximum allowable.
Shane Foley, director of Natural Resources Management, briefed Beltrami County commissioners on the county development fund and recommended using the 2026 grantable amount rather than hold it in reserve because apportionment is likely to shrink. Foley said the 2026 grantable amount is $16,426 and attributed the decline to internal expense allocations and lower apportionment as department profit falls.
Commissioners discussed statutory constraints and whether a full grant cycle should be run this year. Some commissioners urged caution given the small amount; others argued organizations would prefer receiving awards now rather than waiting. One commissioner proposed running a grant cycle for $100,000; county staff said they would proceed with an invitation and manage expectations by noting this may be the last year funds are available at current levels.
County administrator offered to issue the grant invitation and track the process, and commissioners gave direction to proceed with a grant cycle and to notify applicants that funding levels may be reduced in future years.
