[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6487289,"mediaKeyId","5682375-6c5d61dde6c9dd30568112cae2749dd0","parentId",5682375,"title","Warren County holds public hearing on CDBG FY2025 allocation; commissioners approve small budget modification to fund housing study","audioSeconds",3399,"startMs",6000,"endMs",3405000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5682375-6c5d61dde6c9dd30568112cae2749dd0&start=6&end=3405","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5682375-6c5d61dde6c9dd30568112cae2749dd0/thumbnail_6000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6487289/Warren-County/Pennsylvania/Warren-County-holds-public-hearing-on-CDBG-FY2025-allocation-commissioners-approve-small-budget-modification-to-fund-housing-study","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6487289-163a92256d2e60daae29efaff1232ee8/orig.mp4?Expires=1775317222&Signature=b8mRBqQXBRajuSFnHC~DZgLENlDyX9~jiouRwrRTKFzAUso-EUDtJFEfMPB~ifVn33aZcgxWbPLatJmlf3bpq3Xn6y35YLybWZ-k3hQMuUJIQt3tGq3Puhd~1BjAqYNPqvPnDmy549tPLu8pF9L~qcdIa-fX6rYLKmYHsd3AqbkedVMuYix5TjioCzzPtg8tXPluWejdHIJL2WLnpWSncSdihAoz99~X9tysy5pG1xjNMtTo0XZ7AM6o~VAbxcX-KyUye76BH~EDwLAorOPX6oMdJ3co6saVL8g9ugQZGN1znjDTxdejPZzP-StQv~EbzroURjVhV-F65A8p53v8FA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Warren County, PA","date","2025-08-22T11:01:41Z","article","The Warren County Board of Commissioners held a public hearing to announce the county’s fiscal year 2025 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) allocation of $237,050 and approved a budget modification that channels administrative CDBG funds into planning for a countywide housing study.

County staff told the board that, as an entitlement community under the CDBG program, Warren County may retain up to 18% of its annual CDBG award for administrative expenses. At the hearing staff said the modification will move a small portion of those administrative dollars to help fund the housing study; staff also said the study will include additional funding sources, including a $40,000 contribution from the general fund and $20,000 in program funding from Warm Works.

The housing study, staff said, is a “planning-related project” that is an allowable use of administrative funds and is intended to inform how future CDBG dollars are allocated across the county. Staff described the hearing as an initial step: municipalities and eligible nonprofit partners will be invited to submit project proposals, staff will refine recommendations and return the package for a second public hearing next month, and, if approved, the county will submit the CDBG application in October.

Staff reviewed the three national objectives that all CDBG-funded projects must meet: benefit low- and moderate-income persons (defined as households earning less than 80% of area median income), prevent or eliminate slums and blight, or address urgent threats to public safety. Eligible activities listed at the hearing included acquisition, demolition, water and sewer infrastructure, sidewalks and streets, and planning activities tied to one of the national objectives.

Staff also said three required plans or policies — an anti-displacement policy, a Section 3 policy to prioritize economic opportunities for low-income residents on CDBG-assisted projects, and related program documents — will go to public review and return to the board for formal adoption next month.

The board approved the CDBG fiscal-year budget modification by voice vote. A commissioner moved to approve the transfer of administrative funds to the housing study; another commissioner seconded the motion. After a voice vote of “aye,” the chair said, “Motion carried.”

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 3304 and Resolution 3305 — Fair Housing Act resolutions for Warren County and the CDBG program: approved (voice vote).
- Resolution 3306 — Authorization to submit a Main Street Matters planning application (regional main street planning for Sugar Grove and Sheffield) with a 25% match provided by partners: approved (voice vote).
- Resolution 3307 — Approve FY2024 CDBG budget modification (channels administrative funds to the county housing study): approved (voice vote).
- Resolution 3308 — Authorization to sell a county vehicle (2018 Ford Escape) via online auction: approved (voice vote).
- Act 13 applications — Bike-trail rehabilitation (engineering; requested $25,000), Allegheny River cleanup ($500), Sheffield/Saybrook bridge rehabilitation ($50,000 request on an estimated $1,400,000 project): all approved (voice votes).
- Buffalo Architectural Castings estimate for restoration/painting ($14,720): approved (voice vote).
- Appointment — Barry Van Ward to fill an unexpired Agricultural Land Preservation Board term through December 2026: approved (voice vote).
- Repository sale — 7440 Route 6 to Savon King (bid $500): approved (voice vote).

Why it matters

CDBG is federal funding administered to entitlement communities for housing, infrastructure and planning that benefit low- and moderate-income residents. The county’s decision to use administrative funds for a housing study directs planning resources toward understanding housing needs and may influence which infrastructure and housing projects receive CDBG dollars in the coming application cycle.

Next steps

Staff said they will solicit project proposals from municipalities and nonprofit partners, bring recommendations to a second public hearing next month, and — provided board approval — submit the county’s application in October. The anti-displacement policy and Section 3 plan also will be posted for public comment and return to the commissioners for action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Commissioners Public Meeting, August 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Warren County Board of Commissioners held a public hearing to announce the county’s fiscal year 2025 Community Development Block Grant allocation of $237,050 and approved a budget modification to direct administrative CDBG funds toward a countywide housing study.","taxTitle","Warren County, Pennsylvania","taxId",51994,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6487284,"Warren County residents press commissioners over new property reassessment; officials outline appeals process and contractor oversight",1066,464000,1530000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5682375-6c5d61dde6c9dd30568112cae2749dd0&start=464&end=1530","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5682375-6c5d61dde6c9dd30568112cae2749dd0/thumbnail_464000.jpg","/articles/6487284/Warren-County/Pennsylvania/Warren-County-residents-press-commissioners-over-new-property-reassessment-officials-outline-appeals-process-and-contractor-oversight","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6487284-5dbe585fa9d6fcd3a1ed052b4c8a8197/orig.mp4?Expires=1775317222&Signature=mM5y1j~Y2XicKPaDNYQ3nWLHqBsAyaWpqH~vQvQQI8z1PEkq8vy1QboxpbenDJrWCYQ2WKtkMssRYm5YjF6IFDZyDjMLQjSTGxvh18G~gW8cQRiYsT9dfzVyOsxICc-p8iQlCGrQL8-~qkxijMODrwuRYV3OMgoCZMRpj0JmGGuuaVE97NT0tvz3gaSToYTizRE3s0o2uqEcOzMnByNqZJyn38NvGWvW25CbCdchy2nHqK1xWXiepUqbm4JvztXNz2hGUWEF2Dny6AAkF~g0NhSqmcPTxGeQbcyOF95ZbenFkfSBs-LIx3fD5xNHe54FDE4xFp071yrb0lGImuqkEA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the public‑comment portion of the Warren County commissioners’ meeting, several residents raised concerns about the county’s recent property reassessment, saying the new values are inconsistent with local market conditions and will materially increase tax bills for longtime homeowners and seniors.

Joanne Oviatt, a resident who said she appealed an assessment last week, told commissioners the loss of a nearby school has depressed property values in her area and asked how long the county will wait to see whether market changes should alter assessments. Oviatt said residents were told those market effects were not considered for the reassessment and asked whether tax overpayments would be credited if values later fell.

Other residents described what they said were large discrepancies between purchase prices and assessed values. Regina Pierce, who identified herself as a retiree living half a block from a refinery, said her home’s assessment rose to $160,000 despite earlier appraisals and nearby sales that she said supported a much lower value. Pierce said the reassessment could force seniors from their homes and noted timing problems with the state’s property tax rebate, which is not available until July 1 and can affect taxpayers’ net liability.

Multiple speakers asked about the contractor the county hired for the reassessment. A county official and commissioners said Vision Government Solutions was selected through a bid process; one commissioner stated that two firms — Vision and Tyler — were the only companies licensed in the commonwealth that submitted bids and that Vision was the lower bid. County officials said they have monitored Vision’s performance, held weekly discussions with the company for more than two years, and asked Vision to re‑review parcels when the county judged performance issues.

County staff and the solicitor outlined appeals options. Commissioners and the county solicitor said property owners can file an appeal with the county’s Board of Assessment Appeals and, if necessary, may ultimately appeal to the Court of Common Pleas. The solicitor advised that homeowners may represent themselves in court but warned that court proceedings involve rules of procedure and evidence and that hiring counsel is an option to consider.

Officials said the county has processes intended to limit conflicts of interest on auxiliary and appeals boards: prospective board members complete conflict‑of‑interest disclosures, alternates are available, and members receive training that the county said it is documenting. Commissioners also said the county ran statistical checks and other tests on Vision’s data and has a schedule for allowing property owners to review preliminary values and to file appeals.

Why it matters

A countywide reassessment changes the taxable assessed value of property across jurisdictions and can alter taxpayers’ bills even if millage rates remain unchanged. Many commenters said the timing and scale of the changes will disproportionately affect seniors and fixed‑income households and urged the county to provide clearer information and additional outreach.

What officials said they will do next

Officials urged homeowners who dispute their assessed value to file a formal appeal and noted the county will continue to monitor Vision’s work and run analytical tests on assessment data; county staff said they would continue to meet with residents after the meeting to review individual appeals and provide guidance on the appeals process.","Residents told the Warren County commissioners that a recent countywide property reassessment produced steep, unexplained increases and asked how to pursue appeals; county officials said they are monitoring the contractor and described appeal routes to the Board of Assessment Appeals and the Court of Common Pleas.","actionData","errors"]

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Warren County holds public hearing on CDBG FY2025 allocation; commissioners approve small budget modification to fund housing study

Warren County residents press commissioners over new property reassessment; officials outline appeals process and contractor oversight