Vision Partnership Program —
Comparison of Cash Grants and County Consulting

Did you know there are two sides to the Vision Partnership Program?

Through the Cash Grant there are two competitive rounds per year, funding permitting, through which a municipality may hire a private consultant for planning projects. Through the County Consulting – Technical, Chester County Planning Commission staff are available to act as the consultant for undertaking projects, with cost-sharing between the County and municipality. County Consulting – Technical projects are undertaken based on staff availability and the potential to implement Landscapes3.

Cash Grant County Consulting
Eligible Applicants All Chester County municipalities (multi-municipal projects permitted) All Chester County municipalities (multi-municipal projects permitted)
Eligible Projects Plans, ordinances, ordinance amendments, planning studies that advance Landscapes3 Plans, ordinances, ordinance amendments, planning studies, special studies that advance Landscapes3
Application Period Two application rounds per year, funding permitting, with notification to municipalities approximately two months in advance of application deadline Rolling; staff availability is a determining factor
Selection Process Applications to be reviewed and scored by Chester County Planning Commission in accordance with project evaluation criteria Projects selected based on Chester County Planning Commission staff availability and expertise and extent of implementation of Landscapes3
Funding: Adopted Plans or Ordinances Maximum $50,000 (plus $10,000 per additional municipality for multi-municipal plans) Maximum $50,000 for contracts (plus $10,000 per additional municipality for multi-municipal plans); maximum $5,000 project cost for agreements
Funding: Accepted Planning Studies Maximum $30,000 (plus $5,000 per additional municipality for multi-municipal plans) Maximum $30,000 for contracts (plus $5,000 per additional municipality for multi-municipal plans); maximum $5,000 project cost for agreements
Municipal Contribution 40% of project cost; a higher municipal match can be provided under application criteria 40% of project cost
Application Contents Completed application, evaluation criteria responses, letters of commitment, consultant qualifications, designated official Online application and letters of commitment for contracts; written request for agreements
Consultant Selection and Qualifications Third party consultant to be selected by municipality — must meet County specified qualifications Chester County Planning Commission to provide lead staff planner qualified to complete the project
Scope and Contract Development Scope of work to be developed by municipality and consultant and approved by Chester County Planning Commission; contract to be developed by Chester County Planning Commission Chester County Planning Commission to develop scope of work and contract or agreement
Schedule Ranges from 12-36 months depending on project type Ranges from 12-36 months depending on project type for contracts; up to 12 months for agreements
Project Management Private consultant to provide project management; Chester County Planning Commission staff serves as grant monitor Chester County Planning Commission planner to provide project management
Invoicing Invoice to be submitted to municipality and County grant monitor simultaneously; invoice requires approval by grant monitor Chester County Planning Commission to submit invoice to municipality quarterly for contracts; invoices to be submitted to municipality at conclusion of the project for agreements
Amendments Extension not to exceed six months; two contract extensions processed by Chester County Planning Commission; additional extensions or increase in county award requires approval by the Chester County Board of Commissioners Contracts: Extension not to exceed six months; two extensions processed by Chester County Planning Commission; additional extensions or change in project cost requires approval by the Chester County Board of Commissioners; Agreements: one extension not to exceed six months
Review of Completed Project Final review to be completed by Chester County Planning Commission; applicable projects to be submitted for Act 247 review Applicable projects to be submitted for Act 247 review
Reimbursement Following adoption or acceptance and requires request form, proof of adoption or acceptance, copies of completed project, invoice copies, and copies of municipal payment N/A