Union County delegates temporary authority to apply for grants to commissioner

The Union County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously March 16 to adopt a resolution delegating to a county commissioner the authority to execute grant applications on the county’s behalf, an administrative step staff said will speed applications.

Mister Williams told the board the measure would let a commissioner "execute any and all applications for grants on behalf of the county, whether from federal, state, or other governmental products for funds," while the board retains the right to "reject or withdraw applications or reject awards," language the county attorney said clarifies the delegation is limited and ministerial.

County Attorney Wade told the board the draft resolution (noted as the March 2026 resolution) puts the authority "in black and white" and recommended the change rather than relying on meeting minutes. After brief questions about whether particular grants might limit delegation, the board voted in favor without objection.

The board recorded no dissent and agreed that awarded grants would still come back to the full board for acceptance. The resolution's adoption is intended to allow staff and elected officials to meet grant deadlines while preserving the board's final oversight role.