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Snowville council authorizes staff to seek USDA grant for a master/general plan
Summary
Planning & Zoning told the council Snowville needs a $30,000–$40,000 master/general plan; council voted to authorize staff to begin a USDA "search" grant application and to explore CIB/state matching funds that could support impact-fee work tied to sewer and annexation planning.
Snowville’s Planning & Zoning Commission told the Town Council on May 13 that the town needs a formal master (general) plan to manage growth and to qualify for infrastructure funding.
Carson (Planning & Zoning) said the estimate to prepare a general plan is roughly $30,000–$40,000 and that a USDA "search" grant (as referenced in the meeting) is available for disadvantaged communities — Snowville’s median household income puts it near the threshold. "There's one more spot this year, and they said we're what do they call us, a disadvantaged qualified," Carson said. Council members said they want Eric (staff) to start the grant paperwork promptly.
Eric told the council the state’s Community Impact Board (CIB) can provide complementary funding and that CIB can fund impact-fee work tied to a general plan, enabling the town to establish water, sewer and road impact fees if it chooses. Councilmembers discussed timing; Eric estimated a two-to-three-week procurement/award window for the grant paperwork and recommended including a near-term project (for water or sewer) when applying.
LuAnn Johnson moved and Trisha Arbon seconded a motion authorizing Eric to begin the USDA grant application process on behalf of Planning & Zoning; the motion passed by voice vote. Carson and Cody discussed the need for a sewer-density study, and Eric said the town could either seek a USDA density report or have staff prepare it. Council members identified a goal of having a plan in effect by Jan. 1, 2027 if the grant and planning schedule permit.
The council’s authorization allows staff to incur early costs and pursue reimbursements if the grant is awarded. Next steps: staff will submit the grant application, seek any matching CIB funding if appropriate, and return with a scope and schedule for the master plan and the related sewer or infrastructure projects that the plan would enable.
