Knox council approves moving forward on $50,000 comprehensive‑plan grant application

The City of Knox council voted to advance an application for a comprehensive‑plan grant from the Office of Community and Rural Affairs, staff said.

"Maximum grant amount is $50,000. It works out the match would be $5,600," a staff member (S4) told the council as they discussed timelines and requirements. S4 said the match is "a little more than 10%." Council member S2 moved to advance the process and S3 seconded; the motion was approved.

Staff outlined procurement and public‑engagement steps required before submission. S4 said the city must advertise for consultants for 30 days, accept proposals with a due date of October 19, hold interviews and assemble a scoring committee of at least three people, and hold a public hearing before the application is submitted. S4 also said the application is due in early November (described in the meeting as the "1st Sunday in November") and that award notifications are likely to come in January.

S4 recommended distributing an online public survey and posting explanatory materials on the city and Main Street pages to document public input. S4 also suggested soliciting resident letters of support; the staff member offered to draft letters if needed.

If awarded, the grant would fund a citywide comprehensive plan; S4 emphasized an updated plan is frequently required to qualify for other funding opportunities. The council authorized staff to proceed with the application and required procurement steps.

Next steps: staff will publish the consultant solicitation, collect proposals by Oct. 19, convene a scoring committee to interview finalists, schedule the required public hearing prior to submission, and submit the application in early November.