Supervisors approve Tom Hancock grama awards and $50,000 fire loan to Farley VFD

The Dubuque County Board approved awards recommended by the Tom Hancock Memorial Fire & EMS grant committee and authorized a $50,000 loan from the revolving loan fund to the Farley Volunteer Fire Department for vehicle purchase.

The county noted more than $250,000 in grama requests and approved roughly $125,000 in awards. Supervisors emphasized a persistent need for turnout gear—at about $4,000 per firefighter per outfit—and discussed seeking additional grants and UCC support for statewide or multi‑agency proposals. The chair and colleagues said they would explore other grant avenues to supplement the limited grama funds. The $50,000 loan to Farley VFD was approved by motion and will be administered through the revolving loan fund; the chair said the county would monitor loan terms and deliverables.