Harrington sets $50,000 minimum match for lake shower-house CDBG pre-application

The Harrington City Commission directed staff to pursue a preliminary CDBG application for a lakeside shower-house and set a proposed local match minimum of $50,000. Staff presented that the full project estimate is roughly $300,000 and that the state grant historically covers about 40 percent of equipment costs; commissioners discussed whether to earmark $50,000–$75,000 as the city’s match depending on final estimates.

A grant-writing firm was proposed to prepare the application; staff described the firm's model as requesting an upfront fee to assemble and submit applications and to manage subsequent resubmissions if not awarded. Transcript references to the vendor fee were inconsistent (items referenced both $89.50 and $9,000 in different exchanges); staff said the Lake Capital Improvement Plan could cover the vendor payment.

Commissioners debated keeping the local match modest so other lake projects could proceed. After discussion, the commission directed staff to propose a $50,000 minimum match for the pre-application; staff may return to the commission to increase or decrease that mark based on final numbers.

Next steps: staff to work with the grant-writer and the interim city manager to finalize application materials and return with a refined budget if necessary.