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City approves streamlined grant policy for low-cost applications; staff praised
Summary
Council approved changes to grant procedures that let staff apply for grants with no local match without committee approval and centralize invoice coding with the grants coordinator; Alderman Dorsett praised the staff member leading the work.
The Macomb City Council adopted amendments to its grant policies and procedures that streamline the pre-application approval process for grants that require no local match or no new budget appropriation.
Jessica Biddensstad, the staff member presenting the changes, said the intent is to reduce committee review for low-impact grant applications and to improve internal invoice processing. "Any grant that has no match or is not an already budgeted request would not go forth to committee," Jessica said, adding that such grants could be applied for with approval from two administrators (Melissa and Scott). The other change requires department heads to send grant invoices to Jessica so she and budget staff can code them correctly.
Alderman Dorsett said he had concerns about the grant position initially but praised Jessica's performance and said she has grown into the role. The council voted to adopt the changes on a roll-call vote with all members voting aye.
Council materials indicate the change was discussed previously at the general government committee on Jan. 26 and again at a community meeting; the memo and redlined changes were included in the meeting packet. The policy amendment is intended to allow faster application for grant opportunities that do not obligate city funds while reserving committee and council review for grants that require a match or expenditure.
