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Committee forwards $1.45M in grant applications to quorum court, including trail feasibility and marine-fuels request
Summary
Benton County finance committee voted to send multiple grant applications to the quorum court: a $500,000 marine fuels-road request, a $150,000 unpaved-roads grant, a $400,000 SAMHSA continuation, and a $400,000 STBG feasibility study for a west-side trail; several grants require local matches.
Benton County’s finance committee on Feb. 10 reviewed and approved forwarding six grant applications to the full quorum court, including multiple transportation and health-related proposals the county hopes will stretch local funds with state and federal matches.
Key actions: the committee agreed to send the following to the quorum court for formal approval and any required appropriations or MOUs:
- Arkansas Game and Fish marine fuels tax grant (Fund 2950) — $500,000 request for road work at Highway 412 to Chamber Springs boat launch; 75% state share ($375,000) and 25% local match (estimated $125,000, usually in-kind).
- Arkansas unpaved roads grant (Fund 2001) — $150,000 for Dalla Rosa Road with a 50/50 split ($75,000 state/$75,000 local).
- SAMHSA continuation (Fund 3749) — Year 4 application for $400,000 to continue an existing mental-health program; Michelle Barrett was on hand to answer program questions.
- STBG (FHWA) feasibility study for a western Benton County paved trail (capital projects Fund 4000) — $400,000 feasibility study estimate; anticipated federal share $320,000 and local match $80,000 split with Siloam Springs and Gentry. Staff emphasized the study is a planning step only and does not obligate the county to construction.
Tony, the grant administrator, told the committee the county has applied for multiple, overlapping grants for the same project to maximize chances of funding and will negotiate MOUs with partner cities if awarded. "We're hoping to just get one of them," he said, describing the regional approach to funding a Razorback Greenway-connected feasibility study.
All individual grant motions recorded in the minutes passed when called; the committee will forward each application and the committee’s recommendations to the quorum court for final action and appropriation as needed.
The committee also approved smaller recurring grants, including a $7,500 alternative dispute resolution grant and a $7,500 mediation program award previously announced.
