The Brookhaven City Council at its Feb. 24 work session heard about the criteria for grant applications from its director of strategic partnerships.
Patty Hansen told the panel in her presentation the details about the grant application minimum award guidelines, which determine whether the city pursues them.
A memo accompanying the agenda item said that the city usually has to pay the cost of the grant up front, and report to the funder, and if approved, the funder pays a portion of the direct cost.
” With few exceptions, the City is not eligible to recover indirect or administrative costs per private, state, and federal award agreements,” the memo said. “Costly delays due to funder conditions and indirect costs, therefore, must be carefully considered as part of the expense of any grant agreement.”
With those factors in mind, Hansen said that her department has set up guidelines for the amount and types of grants it considers for application.
“The city does not prepare applications for opportunities that are not directly tied to an adopted plan or work strategy as directed by council action,” Hanson said.
For federal grants, with a few exceptions, the city’s threshold is $200,000 and higher. For Federal Highway Administration grants, the minimum is $5 million. For private funding, the minimum is $50,000.
“For private funding, it’s unusual that grants are given to cities,” Hansen said. “Usually these go to 501(c)(3) organizations.”
Council Member John Funny complimented Hansen and her department for establishing the parameters for grant applications.
“It’s a very time-consuming exercise,” he said. “You don’t want to spend $1.50 to make 50 cents.”
In other action, the council heard updates on several sidewalk path projects and was reminded that spring hazardous waste day for Brookhaven will be held on March 7 at Oglethorpe Presbyterian Church.
The council then retired to executive session to discuss potential legal and real estate matters.