Committee recommends commission approve county match for Spring Creek multiuse path grant

The Elko County Budget Committee voted to forward a recommendation to the full County Commission to meet the county's match obligation for a Transportation Alternatives grant that would fund a paved, separated multiuse path linking Liberty Peak Elementary with the Spring Creek Boys and Girls Club and other neighborhood amenities. Staff told the committee the grant totals $1,545,263 and that the county's 5% match obligation is roughly $77,000 because proposed in-kind matches (engineering, materials and labor offered by Spring Creek Association) could not be counted under procurement rules. As staff explained, "the funding is coming from the Federal Highway Administration through NDOT to the county." (Staff member.)

Committee members asked about reimbursement timing and whether the county must front costs; staff said the grant is reimbursement-based and that if grant terms are not followed the county could be liable. A motion to "forward a recommendation of the commission that we approve meeting the match for this grant, and directing... the grant match would come out of the beginning fund balance of the capital fund" was moved and seconded; the committee voted in favor by voice. Members directed staff to explore alternative sources, including whether the county's roughly $76,000 EEBCG allocation could be used to offset the capital fund contribution.