Elgin shifts $17,000 to historic paint grants to fund 12 recipients

Elgin city staff told the Committee of the Whole on May 13 that the city received nine historic architectural rehabilitation applications and 14 historic paint grant applications for 2026 and is recommending a limited transfer of funds to fund more paint grants. City manager presented the programs and said each grant program—rehab and paint—was allocated $150,000 for 2026 and that staff is requesting a transfer of about $17,000 from the rehab program to the paint program so the city can fund 12 of the 14 eligible paint applicants.

The rehab program’s structure includes a 50/50 component that covers half of exterior work up to $20,000 and a 75/25 component that covers 75% of costs up to $20,000 for low- to moderate-income households, the manager said. The paint grant program provides awards of up to $15,000 to owner-occupied, low- to moderate-income property owners within the Elgin National Watch Historic District.

Council member Thorn commended staff and praised program administration: “So my compliments to you, I think this is a great way that shows where the funds are offered, what they're for, and how they can be slightly redistributed for the benefit of everyone,” he said. Another council member asked whether partial grants have ever been offered to applicants; staff replied that partial offers have been made but typically applicants decline because they prefer to use full funding and the grant agreement assumes completion of the whole project.

Council voted to approve the funding transfer and related grant awards by roll call. Kristen Sundquist was acknowledged as the program administrator and the council thanked heritage staff for outreach and application uptake. The item passed without recorded dissent at the Committee of the Whole level; staff will return paperwork and award lists for implementation per program rules.