Town staff brief council on multiple grants to fund waterline, asset-inventory work

Town staff told the Spurs Mountain Town Council on Sept. 9 that the town has secured a Golden Leaf grant of $775,000 for a Highway 226 waterline replacement project and is awaiting a decision on a separate Economic Development Administration application for $1.4 million.

The council was told that the Department of Environmental Quality has awarded or scoped $150,000 to fund an asset inventory and analysis; staff held a scoping meeting with engineering firm Withers & Ravenel last week, and staff expects to finalize the formal funding letter and begin work on that project. Staff also referenced a Department of Commerce item for $49,999 and USDA funding of $150,000 for related work.

Why it matters: The grants are intended to fill capital shortfalls on pipe replacement and support a broader asset-management program for the town’s water and sewer systems. Staff said the Golden Leaf award covers part of the Highway 226 shortfall and that the EDA decision, if favorable, would address the remaining gap.

Staff described next steps and timing. The DEQ-funded asset-inventory contract will move forward once formal funding letters are received; Withers & Ravenel is expected to begin scope work. Town staff said they expect notice about the EDA application within roughly two weeks and that project scheduling will follow receipt of all funding commitments.

The update came during a wider agenda that also included parks signage, personnel policy revisions and routine finance and public-works reports. The council did not take a final vote on any grant acceptance at the meeting; staff said formal actions will be brought back to the council when agreements are complete.