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Riley County debates reapplying for state relocation grant as budget questions linger
Summary
Riley County officials discussed whether to apply for a new round of the state's Home in the Heartland relocation grant (application window opens July 1), weighing a 20% local match against tight county budgets and a decision to return to the board with funding options.
Amanda Webb, Riley County planning director, told commissioners on June 29 that the state will open a new round of Home in the Heartland grants on July 1 and asked whether Riley County should submit another application. Riley County previously received about $187,000 and has placed 12 households so far, Webb said.
Ben, a representative from Make My Move, which partners with the county, said the program is structured so that for every dollar invested locally, the state provides four. "It is an 80/20 split," he said, adding that the 12 households already relocated are generating local economic benefits. "Those just 12 ... are providing about $256,000 of new annualized state and local ... local taxes," he said.
County staff explained the mechanics and timing: the state award can reach a maximum request of $250,000 (which would require a $50,000 local match under the 80/20 formula). Budget & Finance Officer Britney Phillips told the board the county had to pay some Make My Move costs up front before receiving state reimbursement. "We had to pay Make My Move up front before we even got, you know, any funding from the state," she said.
Commissioners said they support the program's goals but expressed concern about identifying the required local match while the county is trimming other services. One commissioner asked staff to identify potential local funding sources and return with a recommendation. Amanda Webb said staff will prepare a draft application and more precise estimates for the board to review before any submission.
Next steps: staff will return with funding scenarios, a recommended match source and a finalized application amount for the board to consider before the grant window closes; no final application was submitted during the June 29 meeting.
