Finance committee approves two state grants for inland flooding and bikeway projects, seeks local match

Warren County's Finance & Budget Committee voted April 2 to authorize acceptance of two New York State grants for infrastructure projects, while directing staff to identify local-match funding before moving full project spending forward.

County planners presented two awards: $53,541 through the Department of State for inland flooding and waterfront revitalization implementation with a required local match of $59,489, and $299,780 for bikeway improvements with a local match of $74,945. The committee voted to consider the resolutions together and approved them by voice vote.

Ethan, a county planner, told the committee that staff expect to be able to contribute some in-kind services toward the local match, "particularly with the screw river project," estimating roughly $20,000 of potential in-kind value from Department of Public Works labor and equipment. He also noted that the bulk of cash expenditures are likely to occur in 2027 and that a signed grant agreement and establishment of a capital project account are prerequisites to major spending and procurement.

Supervisor Conover praised the planning office for securing outside funds, noting the combined awards total more than $800,000 toward county assets and urging a split approach to local-match funding so no single revenue source is overly strained. Committee members discussed using the county's contingent/reserve account, occupancy-tax (octax) proceeds, or fund balance; staff reported an available contingent balance in the neighborhood of $217,000 and said fully funding the two local matches now would use about $135,000, leaving an estimated balance of roughly $65,000 after other known transfers.

County finance staff recommended authorizing the grant agreements now to meet state requirements while identifying the specific local funding source later. The committee agreed that a resolution indicating the county will meet the local-match requirement, with the exact funding source subject to future appropriation or transfer, would allow the planning department to move forward with design and procurement schedules.

The committee approved both grant agreements and directed staff to return with documentation of the capital project setup, final in-kind service estimates, and the specific source(s) of the local match once identified. Next steps include executing the state grant agreements when returned by the state and establishing capital projects and procurement timelines in coordination with DPW and the treasurer's office.