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Centering equity As the regional policy-making body, planning agency, and provider of essential services for the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area, the Met Council has a role in advancing equity. The Twin Cities metropolitan area ranks high among the nation’s largest metro areas for overall income, low unemployment, and sustained economic growth, but this region also ranks high for negative outcomes. The Water Equity Policy in the Imagine 2050 Water Policy Plan includes a commitment to “incorporate environmental justice and water equity considerations into funding and grant applications to address past barriers faced by historically disproportionately burdened groups.” Guided by Met Council policy, internal assessments of the Water Efficiency Grant Program were conducted to better understand the audience of the program and where shortcomings could be addressed. A need for more equitable outcomes was identified – this pilot program aims to reach residents of the region for whom the traditional program may be challenging to participate in (due to up-front costs, program requirements for participation, language barriers, awareness of the program, and more). Legislative directive –Minnesota 2023 Session Law In 2023, the Met Council was awarded a total $1,500,000 in Minnesota Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment funds for fiscal years 2024 and 2025 for water demand reduction grants. Of this award, $400,000 has been set aside for this pilot program. The remaining $1,100,000 was allocated to the traditional Water Efficiency Grant Program. The legislative language is below: $750,000 the first year and $750,000 the second year are for the water demand reduction grants to assist municipalities in the metropolitan area with implementing water demand reduction measures to ensure the reliability and protection of drinking water supplies. Fiscal year 2024 appropriations are available until June 30, 2025, and fiscal year 2025 appropriations are available until June 30, 2026. Eligibility This grant program is limited to municipalities in the seven-county metropolitan area that operate or are served by a municipal public water supply system. Participating residents must be connected to municipal water. Property owners as well as renters responsible for paying their water bill are eligible to participate. Any municipality that meets the criteria above may apply for this pilot grant program. Municipalities are expected to develop equity criteria to determine participation requirements for residents. The Met Council will provide maps, data, and other resources to aid municipalities in the development of equity criteria. Municipalities are not required to use the resources provided by the Met Council and can develop criteria based on locally available data or other information. Municipalities’ applications will be scored on how well their proposed program prioritizes residents with the most disparities in the region. Municipalities that apply and are awarded funding must sign a standard Council Grant Agreement before any eligible grants can be submitted for reimbursement. Agreements require that municipalities: Entirely pass through grants received Verify purchase of devices to receive grants Retain records and cooperate with any audits Conduct all communications with property owners and ensure all written communications to property owners include both the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment logo, and the Metropolitan Council’s logo 2 Qbhf!242!pg!488