The Crestview City Council on Aug. 5 adopted the city’s 2025–2029 Consolidated Plan and the 2025 Annual Action Plan for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and approved funding recommendations for the coming year.

Staff told the council the city expects an entitlement of approximately $164,652 for the program year. That total includes a portion set aside for planning and administration; HUD rules cap public‑service spending at 15% of the entitlement.

Staff and the Citizen Advisory Council recommended funding requests from two applicant organizations and several city projects. The recommended allocations included:

- Crestview Manor: funding for ceiling repairs, exterior painting and an awning; staff said the applicant will receive the full amount requested because the repairs address immediate health and safety concerns.
- Crestview Resource Center (First Church of God in Christ): recommended operational support within the 15% cap; staff and council members discussed that nonprofit operating costs are high and that staff wants to avoid perpetual dependency on CDBG for core operations.
- Arts and Learning Center (city project): recommended operational subsidies to support programming (instructors, supplies) once the facility opens on Main Street; staff said CDBG can subsidize instructor fees so classes can be offered at low or no cost to attendees.
- Shared‑use path design: design funding for a multi‑use path connecting Twin Hills Park and downtown near Industrial Drive; staff said the project has been in CRA planning for 15 years and that design could be funded with construction to follow from CDBG and CRA funds in later years.
- Security cameras/public safety: staff included a line to explore camera systems at Twin Hills Park, Wilson Street Park, the Arts and Learning Center and potentially Allen Park; staff estimated a modest line item (about $31,145) to see what quotes will provide.

Council discussion focused on whether grant allocations should favor the Crestview Resource Center (CRC) or shift more to the Arts and Learning Center, the limitations of the 15% public‑service cap, and the staff goal of making some nonprofit operations more self‑sustaining. Staff emphasized that the CRC provides broad services — job‑application assistance, legal and medical referrals, and food support — and several council members urged continued support for CRC as a community asset.

The resolution establishing the Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan passed 4–0 with one absence. Staff will execute subrecipient agreements and begin procurement for design and camera quotes; HUD reporting and required environmental reviews will follow federal program rules.

Ending

Staff listed the funding breakdown in the staff report; council members asked staff to monitor program outcomes and to bring back updates if procurement or subrecipient agreements raise questions about allowable costs under HUD rules.