Edgerton will not fund new fences under HOME Improvements grant, council says

Edgerton city staff recommended, and the City Council unanimously agreed on Feb. 13, that the HOME Improvements grant program should not include funding for new fences.

Assistant to the City Administrator Kara Banks told the council staff had evaluated three options: exclude fences entirely from eligible activities; allow only repairs to existing fences; or permit new fencing but exclude electric or underground systems. Banks said resources are limited and recommended focusing allocation dollars on projects that affect the structure of homes—foundations, roofs, siding—rather than landscaping or perimeter fencing. “Staff is recommending that Council does not approve fences as an eligible activity and instead focus the limited resources of allocation dollars to projects that impact the structure of the home,” Banks said.

Councilmember Clay Longanecker said he supported staff’s recommendation citing limited funding. All councilmembers agreed to exclude new fences from the HOME Improvements grant options.

What this means: HOME grant dollars will be directed toward structural repairs. The council did not adopt new eligibility language on repairs to existing fences beyond the stated preference; staff will incorporate the policy-direction into the program guidelines and return any required administrative paperwork to implement the funding priorities.

Next steps: Staff to update HOME Improvements program guidelines to reflect council direction and to prioritize structural home repairs in future grant rounds.