Spencer, IA (Northwestiowanow.com) — A microgrant program to assist the owners of rental properties rebuilding after the flood remains elusive.
At last night’s city council meeting, acting City Manager Kevin Robinson recommended a 50 percent match up to two thousand dollars for flooring, fifteen hundred dollars for mechanical work, and a thousand dollars for appliances.

Councilman Ron Hansen feels breaking down the grants per category is unnecessary, and a burden for city staff.

He disagrees with excluding landlords who own more than eight properties.

 

 

Councilman David Lyons had motioned that the program be approved as written but withdrew the motion when it was clear his fellow councilmembers were not in support.

Acting Manager Robinson has been instructed to rewrite the grant program and distribute it to councilmembers. If they’re still unhappy with it, they might choose to call a special committee meeting ahead of the next regular city council meeting November 4th. The desire is for a microgrant program that helps get as many rental units as possible back online as soon as possible.