Grants often have strings attached to them – as Jamestown officials were reminded last week when talking about a culvert replacement project that will be aided with a $1.5 million state grant.

Jamestown won’t have a problem covering its $350,100 share of the project as long as nothing changes. Of course, that’s the big question raised by Councilman Jeff Russell, R-At Large. What if something changes?

After the city was led down the primrose path when it came to the new fleet maintenance facility on Washington Street to the tune of millions of dollars of additional spending because it was too late to turn back once work had begun, Russell had a good question about the resolution that accompanies a $1.5 million state grant to replace a culvert near Minnow Creek on Water Street.

“So, if we go over that amount, then we’re responsible for that?” Russell said. “I have concerns about that because, let’s face it, we’re a little gun shy over the building down on Washington Street. So, a lot of people are gun shy about having just open ended verbiage like that.”

Replacing the culvert needs to happen. Water Street is a busy street, and the failing culvert affects St. Susan Center, Mental Health Association, Community Helping Hands, Western New York Urology and Jamestown Electro Plating, as well as access to UPMC Chautauqua. But if the project costs start rising through things the city can’t possibly foresee now, the city is on the hook entirely.

If city officials want the state’s help, they have to play by the state’s rules. In this case, the state has tilted the rules of the game in its financial favor. We get it – no one wants to be on the hook for cost overruns if a public works project ends up being a bigger headache than originally thought. The city wants to fix a failing piece of public works infrastructure and will have to pay if the project goes over budget.

What the entire situation really shines a light on is the city’s ever-precarious financial situation. In some cities a culvert replacement project going a few hundred thousand dollars over budget wouldn’t be such a concern because there is enough of a surplus to pay for the extra work without worrying too much about the future. Some cities would just replace the culvert as part of its regular budget without needing the state’s help.

We are not that city. We have to pinch every penny until Abraham Lincoln’s eyes bulge.