Centerville officials tout grant wins, discuss consultant role and list capital projects

City staff told the council they continue to pursue federal and regional grants and credited outside consultants with help preparing competitive applications. The Ferguson Group, paid approximately $60,000 a year and split across enterprise funds, was described as a key partner for congressional earmarks and major grant submissions; councilors said the consultant saves staff time and helps make complex applications more competitive.

Staff highlighted recent successes and active grant efforts: a prior $1.5 million grant for a water tank, an earmark application for a $3 million well and several WFRC grants that paired state/regional funds with local matches. The council discussed the tradeoffs of paying consultant fees versus in-house capacity and asked staff to continue sending council the grant-notification emails that consultants circulate.

Capital projects on the list include transportation work (400 East rebuild, Quarter Lane/Main Street widening), streets equipment (a multifunction roll-off hook truck and an asphalt roller) and a significant drainage project: a $750,000 Aryan Way subdrain replacement after video inspection revealed degraded material and laterals that need repair. Street and drainage leaders described cost-savings from performing some work in-house and the value of retaining equipment on a regular replacement schedule.

Next steps: staff will refine grant status for each major project, continue coordination with WFRC and UDOT for transportation grants, and bring cost-estimates and procurement timelines for the hook truck, asphalt roller and the subdrain project back to council for final budgeting.