Committee authorizes one-year, $57,000 contract authorization to buy grant-writing services

County manager Chris (S1) presented a proposal to contract with Millennium Strategies for grant-writing services at $57,000 annually under a piggyback purchasing arrangement. He said purchasing vetted the contract and staff believe the service could help the county pursue more awards that departments currently lack capacity to pursue.

Committee members asked how Millennium would work with departments, who would make final approval on submitting applications, and whether the firm would handle reporting and administration after award. Chris said Millennium would prepare and submit applications in conjunction with departments; documentation provided with the proposal states Millennium "will prepare and submit all grant applications as authorized by the county... This includes all necessary follow-up with governmental, nongovernmental, and legislative agencies" but is not a full substitute for department administration.

The committee authorized the county to send the $57,000 contract and agreed to review performance after the one-year term, with monthly reporting from the vendor suggested as part of evaluation.