Lawmakers press for reporting and guardrails as recurring COG funding is proposed

Members reviewed a proposal to provide a larger, recurring round of "member grow" funding to Councils of Governments (COGs) and to add an FTE in the Department of Finance and Administration's local government division to manage distribution.

Staff described last year's one-time $1,000,000 allocation to COGs and said the new approach would be "more than double" and recurring to build full-time capacity. Representative Garrett asked whether DFA's distribution method results in equal amounts across the seven COGs; staff said DFA has a distribution method and promised to follow up with specifics.

Several lawmakers raised concerns that some COGs charged administrative fees last year. "Some are getting charged an administrative fee and others are not," Representative Dowell said, and asked for parameters and accounting to ensure consistent use of the funds. Representative Duncan said he has historically opposed COG funding and warned that providing a significant recurring sum to COGs effectively redirects funds from other local governments.

Staff committed to drafting guardrail language and to providing a distribution breakdown and reporting expectations before formal adoption.