Grant consultants outline water-project funding options to Ballard City Council and Water Board

Representatives from The Ferguson Group briefed the Ballard City Council and Water Board on federal grant opportunities for water and wastewater projects at a June 16 combined meeting.

Kristy More of The Ferguson Group told the boards the firm has "been in business for 44 years" and provides weekly grant updates, custom funding guides and strategic funding plans to align municipal projects with available programs. More said the firm has secured "billions of dollars" in grant funding (amounts not specified) and that its success on water projects owes in part to early project preparation and integrated advocacy with federal funding agencies, including the Bureau of Reclamation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Council Member Steven Secrest said The Ferguson Group’s advocates have researched Ballard City and view the city as a strong candidate for federal support given planned local growth, an incoming railroad and nearby oil field activity. Secrest said potential funding for water projects "might become available as early as 2028." The board members were told The Ferguson Group will provide further materials by email for staff and members to review.

Public Works Director Ben Mower and Water Board Chairman Mark Reidhead joined the discussion during the presentation; no votes were taken. Secrest summarized the next procedural step as requesting detailed project cost information from the grant advocates so the council and water board can evaluate grant-readiness and budget implications.

An approved signed copy of the meeting minutes was filed with Ballard City offices.