Small cities' CDBG funds to change?
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No Comments [ Add Comment ]By Loretta Park
Standard-Examiner Davis Bureau
lpark@standard.net
Davis mayors oppose idea of withholdings for use by the state
SYRACUSE -- A proposal from the state to withhold some funding from the federal Community Development Block Grant small cities program is being met with opposition from Davis County leaders.
Several mayors spoke against the proposal at the Davis County Council of Governments meeting this week.
The mayors learned of the proposal from Scott Hess, the Davis County community development planner.
The board is considering putting a portion of the federal funds aside for statewide projects, such as housing, said LaNiece Dustman, of Wasatch Front Regional Council. The policy committee is meeting Tuesday to discuss the idea.
"The pros are the state would be able to accomplish larger, more grandeur-scale projects," Dustman said. "The cons are each jurisdiction would have some money diverted from their pot."
Davis, Morgan, Weber and Tooele are part of one region, which receives funds from the CDBG small cities program, she said.
Hess said the board is also considering changes to some of the criteria for projects to be ranked and rated for funding.
The proposed criteria could rank economic factors higher than other criteria, Syracuse Mayor Fred Panucci said, which concerns him.
"Just because a city's economic base is different doesn't mean the municipalities are capable to provide these amenities," Panucci said.
Clinton Mayor Mitch Adams said if the state withholds a portion of the funding, which has been coming to the counties, it could be the deciding factor in whether some city projects are completed.
"I don't believe they're going to take this money and spend it in Clinton city," Adams said. "I think they're going to spend it somewhere else."
Clinton received $150,000 in 2005 and 2006 from the CDBG program to take out the railroad overpass on 2300 North, as well as rebuild deteriorating streets and water storm drains, Adams said
Adams proposed that COG send a letter stating the council's disapproval of the proposal.
Panucci suggested that the letter contain the projects that CDBG has funded throughout the county and in the cities.
Panucci said this year Syracuse received $44,000 from CDBG for a bus for its senior citizen center.
"It's been wonderful," Panucci said. "It has taken our senior citizens on events like field trips and this is something (the city) could not have done without the help of CDBG funding."
Syracuse also received funds several years ago from the federal program to put in street lights and make street corners in an older neighborhood on the west side wheelchair accessible, Panucci said.
South Weber Mayor Joseph E. Gertge has served on the board for the past six years because his city does not qualify for the grant money.
He said the funds on a federal level have been decreasing every year, and if the state takes an additional 15 to 20 percent, there is a concern.
Davis County Commissioner Alan Hansen said he hopes the state does not approve the proposal.
"It doesn't make sense," he said.
Clearfield and Layton are direct entitlement cities and apply directly for funds, independent of the county. The funds are to help residents who are in the low- or moderate-income bracket.
The county received more CDBG funds this year than the previous year, which reversed a five-year trend of decreasing funds.
It was able to award $84,420 to the Children's Justice Center for renovations; $55,000 to the Family Connection Center for motel vouchers and to lease a building in Clearfield for a thrift store; $125,000 to Safe Harbor to construct a new building to house its advocacy and day care facility; $120,000 to Davis Behavioral Health Inc. to buy six vans to transport clients; and $65,000 to Affordable Land to buy a lot in Syracuse so Syracuse High School students can build a home for a low- to moderate-income family.
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