Mount Vernon City Council allocates new $45,000 funding for CDBG annual action plan

The Mount Vernon City Council meeting on May 14, 2025, focused on the allocation of newly received funding, specifically an additional $45,000 for community development projects. The council debated whether to first hear public input or discuss the funding numbers. Ultimately, they opted to open a public hearing, although no members of the public attended to provide comments.

Following the public hearing, the council reviewed the funding distribution process. The additional funds were to be allocated while adhering to federal guidelines, which limit administrative costs to 20% and service costs to 15%. The proposed plan would increase the administrative budget to $75,522 and raise funding for various services by approximately $2,200 each. A significant portion of the funds was earmarked for the Home Trust of Skagit, which requested $100,000 for land acquisition, with the council considering raising their allocation from $46,510 to $75,450.

Council members expressed satisfaction with the proposed distribution, emphasizing the need to support local nonprofits that provide essential services. They acknowledged the challenge of meeting the high demand for funding, noting that many worthy organizations could not be fully funded due to limited resources.

After discussing the allocation strategy, the council unanimously approved the proposed action plan. The meeting concluded with a transition to the next agenda item regarding the approval of a resolution for wastewater utility equipment purchasing, led by Public Works Director Chris Phillips.