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Committee authorizes state flood-resilience grant application and approves state-funded milfoil harvesting contract
Summary
Warren County's Economic Growth & Development Committee voted to authorize an application to the New York State Department of State for inland flooding and waterfront revitalization funds (90% state / 10% local match) and approved a state‑funded milfoil harvesting contract; the body also reallocated ARPA administrative funds to cover reporting through 2026.
Warren County’s Economic Growth & Development Committee voted April 22 to authorize staff to apply for New York State Department of State funding for inland flooding and waterfront revitalization and approved a state-funded contract for milfoil harvesting, then moved a small ARPA administrative reallocation to cover reporting costs through 2026.
The committee approved a resolution to pursue the Department of State program under what staff described as the Mother Nature Bond Act, which staff said offers a 90% state share and a 10% local match. “Our intent with this one is to apply for replacement work… Sarah can figure out through our culvert inventory which runs our highest priority in line with the program,” staff member Ethan said. Staff said they anticipate submitting an application in June and that Kevin has already identified local match funding set aside previously.
Why it matters: the grant would fund infrastructure projects that address inland flooding and waterfront resilience with counties generally responsible for a modest local share. Committee members signaled support for pursuing projects aligned with the county’s capital list and local comprehensive plan.
On the milfoil item, staff said the program is fully funded by New York State as a pass-through contract and that volunteer monitoring and GIS mapping provide precise locations for harvests. Supervisor Bruno moved the milfoil contract to the floor and Supervisor Diamond seconded. A supervisor asked whether harvesting is being done by volunteers and whether particular equipment (named in the discussion) had been used; staff described volunteer monitoring and mapped data that allowed targeted harvesting.
The committee also approved an administrative budget adjustment tapping remaining ARPA administrative set‑aside funds to cover staff time for reporting and documentation through the remainder of 2026. Staff said the reallocation is intended to cover reporting workloads already incurred and that they do not expect an additional request to the committee when those ARPA funds are exhausted.
All three items passed on voice votes with no recorded opposing votes. The committee transitioned to workforce items after the approvals.
