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Staff reports to DPC: Bromley Farm plantings, agrivoltaics visit and pending USDA grants; county budget shortfall noted
Summary
City and Adams County staff told the District Plan Commission about Bromley Farm plantings, a site visit to Jack's Solar Farm exploring agrivoltaics, two pending USDA grants including a food-systems survey and a farm incubator, and Adams County budget constraints that may limit large initiatives this fiscal year.
City and county staff gave the Brighton District Plan Commission a series of updates on May 28 covering local agriculture projects, renewable-energy experimentation, grant opportunities and near-term budget timelines.
Adam Rhodebeck of the City of Brighton reported Bromley Farm has been planted with 12 rows of corn, pumpkins and squash and said the city met with the Butterfly Pavilion about expanding pollinator gardens at Bromley Farm and at the Brighton senior center. He also said Prairie Lakes Open Space is close to public presentation pending a few minor items such as signage and trash cans.
Aly Cooper of Adams County said the commission visited Jack's Solar Farm and discussed the potential for agrivoltaics — combining solar arrays and agricultural production — and the technical, economic and environmental factors the county must weigh. Cooper described two pending USDA grant opportunities: a Food Systems Resilience Survey led by the Adams County Health Department to collect farm- and household-level data on local food security, and a Village Exchange-led farm incubator proposed for placement on an Adams County HSV conservation easement. Cooper said she will provide updates once USDA announces final awards.
Byron Fanning, Adams County Director of Parks, Open Space and Cultural Arts, told the commission the county’s budget timeline targets July 2, 2026, and warned that a property-tax reduction has constrained revenue, making it difficult to fund large initiatives in the coming fiscal year. Separately, Nick DiMario of the City of Brighton said city budget requests are due for review by June 13, 2026 and requested the DPC submit its requests by June 5; he outlined the required submission format (item description, justification, cost estimates with supporting quotes, and desired budget year) and the DPC asked him to supply written guidelines.
Commissioners discussed prioritizing outreach and material needs for the Adams County Fair and other events and agreed to pursue funding via the city's budget process for outreach materials. Staff and commissioners said they will return with updates on grant awards and potential pilot projects if funding is secured.
The meeting adjourned at 4:04 PM.
