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County asked to partner on grant for Pine Village fire-station expansion; officials emphasize surveys and match requirements
Summary
Pine Village fire representatives asked Warren County to serve as the applicant for an OKRA grant (up to $750,000) to expand its station. Commissioners heard that the fire department would be subrecipient and responsible for a 10% match; staff recommended cost estimates, a working meeting, and a grant-writer visit before any formal commitment.
Fire-department representatives and county staff told the board that Pine Village needs an expansion to shelter equipment now stored outdoors and improve operational capacity. The department requested that Warren County act as the applicant for an OKRA grant, with the fire department serving as the subrecipient and covering a 10% match if the award is made.
A county speaker outlined the timeline: round one of the grant is closing and the department missed that deadline; round two opens in September and will require surveys, public hearings, and a finalized application. Grants can be as large as $750,000; the county would receive awarded funds into the general fund and the fire department would provide the 10% match and any additional local share.
County and fire representatives repeatedly stressed that pursuing the grant must not jeopardize a separate town water project; they recommended obtaining cost estimates, determining bonding capacity and staffing implications, and scheduling a working meeting with the grant administrator. A grant writer is scheduled to attend the countys next meeting to answer technical questions and likely request sign-off on an income-survey qualification step.
No formal motion to apply was recorded at the meeting; commissioners gave staff direction to continue coordination, collect estimates and hold a working meeting with the fire department and grant contacts.
Quote: "I do not want to jeopardize the town water project," a fire representative said, stressing that the fire department hopes its match will prevent a county expense.
Next steps: staff will forward the grant-writer materials to commissioners, schedule a working meeting with the town and the fire department as requested, and return with cost estimates and a recommended course of action.
