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Resident presses Washington County Council for clearer reporting on 'ready grants' and Growth Partnership roles
Summary
Jennifer Bowers told the council she could not find evidence in council minutes that members who sit on Growth Partnership or RDA bodies report back; council members said fiscal involvement is triggered only when matching funds are required and that a $300,000 match prompted council action on a $1.22 million grant now under final review.
During the public-comment portion of the meeting, Jennifer Bowers asked the Washington County Council what information members should expect before funding projects and why council representatives who sit on Growth Partnership and RDA boards do not report back in the council minutes.
"So my understanding is they originated the growth partnership, the commissioners approved them and then this body approves the funding... What is the role of those members on those bodies? Are they supposed to be reporting back here for public transparency?" Bowers asked.
Council members and staff responded that the council's fiscal role occurs when matching funds are required. County officials said the project Bowers referenced carried a funding recommendation of about $1.22 million and required roughly $300,000 in local matching funds, which is when the council became directly involved. The transcript records that the governor ordered a review of RDA grant awards, which temporarily paused finalization of the award.
A county official (identified in the transcript as Mr. Euan) told the meeting that the council participated in earlier meetings and that three council members and one commissioner would serve on the required technical review committee if the award becomes official, adding: "This committee is required by state code." He also acknowledged that better communication to the public and in minutes was a needed improvement and said the council has discussed ways to provide information more quickly to taxpayers and county employees.
Bowers said she reviewed multiple minutes and found little reporting back from council members who sit on the partnership and RDA bodies; council members acknowledged the gap and said they would take accountability and work to improve reporting.
The transcript indicates that, as of the meeting, the award had been recommended (a pre-commitment) but not yet officially awarded, and that the commissioners would vote to accept the project if the final award is issued.
