The Wright County Board of Supervisors voted on Dec. 1 to provide a local contribution that will allow the City of Belmont to apply for a Community Attraction & Tourism (CAT) grant to help complete a new municipal pool.

Amy Gohman, representing the Belmont Aquatic Center Committee, told supervisors the pool project has a roughly $5.2 million budget and that the city has raised about $2.0 million from donors, including the Jacobson Fund for Belmont, the Lueg Memorial Trust and the Barkama Trust. Gohman said Belmont is applying for up to $500,000 through the CAT program and requested a $10,000 local commitment from the county — $5,000 in the current fiscal year and $5,000 in FY2027 — to meet the grant’s county-match eligibility requirement.

Supervisors questioned timing and whether the county could split the pledge across two budget years to ease levy pressure. Supervisor (speaker 4) suggested matching the county charitable foundation award to stretch the county’s contribution; staff confirmed a line item remained available. After discussion, Speaker 2 moved and Speaker 4 seconded Resolution 2025-35, which the board approved by voice vote.

The resolution commits the county to provide $5,000 this year and $5,000 in FY2027 to satisfy the CAT application requirement and clear the way for Belmont to move forward with demolition and construction once the city completes bond procedures. Gohman said demolition could begin as soon as the city council finalizes plans and bond issuance.

The board did not attach additional conditions in the resolution beyond the pledge; supervisors said they would account for the contribution in upcoming budget hearings. The county’s formal action was limited to approving the local contribution; final CAT award decisions remain with the state granting authority.

Resolution 2025-35: Passed (voice vote).