Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Grant Application Vote topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee votes down application to pursue FEMA resilience grant to rewrite county code
Summary
Stephenson County committee debated and rejected a motion to apply for a FEMA BRIC grant to fund a phased rewrite of the county’s zoning and building code; members raised concerns about consultant control, loss of local control and the $100,000 match source.
The county zoning office asked the committee to approve submitting a FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant application that would fund a phased rewrite of the county’s zoning and building code and require an approved consultant to assist with the process.
Committee discussion focused on control of ordinances after outside consultants are engaged, the length and scope of the project, whether the county has staffing to enforce new code elements, and the source of the local match. Committee members noted the match would come from a trust fund rather than general county operating funds and a figure of $100,000 was mentioned during debate.
After discussion and a motion and second to approve applying, members voted by voice and the motion failed; the committee did not authorize the zoning office to submit the grant application. One committee member said during debate, "I would vote against this," citing concerns about losing local control and the short timeline to assemble the application and supporting materials.
Staff said Blackhawk Hills was assisting with the application preparation and that the application deadline was June 26. Opponents suggested alternative options such as using UCCI or redoing sections of the code incrementally instead of attempting a full rewrite under a consultant-led grant.
