Flathead County commissioners may seek federal grant money to help fund a proposed new Agency on Aging building. 

On Thursday, commissioners discussed submitting a proposal to the city of Kalispell involving the city’s $450,000 piece of federal Community Development Block Grant funds.

During an all-day retreat Thursday, commissioners could not take official action but agreed to the concept of applying for the grant without specifying a location. County Administrator Mike Pence said he would arrange a meeting with the city’s grant writer, block grant officials and others to refine the proposal for a commissioner vote.

Commissioner Gary Krueger opened the discussion by questioning why the proposed new building was not included in the county’s capital improvement plan. Pence said the change of management at the Agency on Aging delayed submission of a project for the document.

He pointed out that the 2007 plan included a project to obtain and remodel the old armory next to Peterson Elementary School. However, Samaritan House received the building from the federal government, so that project was dropped. 

Pence said commissioners could add the Agency on Aging building to the plan if they proceed with applying for grant money. Krueger pointed out the plan did include $1 million for buildings without a year designation, adding that the county should pursue the grant since this building qualifies as a project and others don’t.

Addressing the Capital Improvement Plan, Krueger said commissioners need a more coherent philosophy on how they want to “grow our county buildings.”

“There was a push at one time to build a campus on the south end of the county-office campus on the south end,” Krueger said. “I favor a campus-type style.”

Commissioner Cal Scott agreed, saying the commissioners needed a vision of what they see as county needs beyond five years. Krueger said the county has a number of departments with needs, including the Elections Department and Extension Service.

Commissioner Pam Holmquist counted nine other specific building needs. Scott said they all should become part of an overall vision for the future.

Pence pointed out a grant application requires a specific project. He said an application means that the county intends to build the building not stay in the leased Kelly Road building for another five years.

“I think we’re all on board that we want to apply for the grant,” Holmquist said.

Pence said that if the city’s portion of grant money was awarded for the building next fall, the county could obtain bids and sign a contract to start building as soon as spring or summer 2014. 

Commissioners also discussed whether the Kalispell Senior Center would be part of the plan as well as how much square footage was actually needed for congregate meals. Commissioners decided they needed more information before committing to specifics such as size, location and agencies included.

Pence said he, Krueger, city grant writer Debbie Person and Agency on Aging Director Lisa Sheppard need to speak with Community Development Block Grant officials to determine exactly what format or set of plans was needed to submit a competitive application.

“Then we’ll get it on the agenda fairly soon, because timing is right at us if we’re serious about trying to get that spot from the city,” Pence said. “We would have to submit a viable application for the city to allow us to have that spot.”

The commissioners then would vote whether to submit the application.

Scott said he agreed with Pence’s suggestion. He said they needed to move forward on a building plan whether funded through the Community Development Block Grant or another source.

Krueger said the grant could move the Agency on Aging building up in priority among county building proposals. He said he sees many other county facilities that need attention.

Holmquist and Scott both agreed.

“So you’re in consensus to go the next step,” Pence said. “Your decision won’t be made until after the next step.”

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by email at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.