For the week of September 17 - 23, 2003

Numerous grants
keep Bellevue busy

Marshall receives supplemental

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By MATT FURBER
Express Staff Writer

As the Bellevue city council and the city staff wrap up business for fiscal year 2003, managing grant applications have loaded the office with work.

To catch up with money coming into the city from grants and other sources, the city approved a budget adjustment of $174,000 for fiscal year 2002-2003 at the regular meeting Thursday, Sept. 11 to account for unanticipated activity.

"The grants are great," said Bellevue City Administrator, Jack Stoneback, who admonished city council members to keep staff informed about the status of applications. "A lot of paper work goes with them. Keep the city appraised of changes. Don’t just keep paperwork at the committee office.

Stoneback praised the enthusiasm for improvements that grants can provide the city, but he stressed communication.

Almost on cue, Bellevue Tree Committee representative Joy Allen described the complexities of the committee’s experience applying for a grant that had a quick deadline.

The committee has just submitted an application to the state for $1,500 to buy seven new trees that will help with replacement of old poplars that line City Park. The council approved filing the application, which requires $500 of in-kind support from the city to help with planting the trees if the application is approved. Council members hoped that resident excavators might donate time and resources for the planting.

The city has received grants from the Idaho Department of Lands and the Idaho Community Foundation this year. One grant was to go toward a skate park, but since the city was not yet ready to go forward with the plan the money with permission from the state was shifted into the Parks Committee. The Tree Committee has absorbed at least three additional grants for planting and care and for an inventory study of the city’s trees.

The Fire Department received two grants from the Bureau of Land Management for fire equipment and wildfire suppression reimbursement.

Much of the budget adjustment was reimbursement for items paid for from the city’s general fund, said Bellevue City Clerk Dee Barton.

In other business the council also approved hiring Robin Jacob Jake Johnson as the new full-time patrol officer in the Marshall’s office.

In an effort to help Marshall Randy Tremble continue the investigation into the murder of Alan and Diane Johnson, the council also approved a supplement of $5,000 to go to the department.

 

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