Hamilton County holds public hearing on HOME-ARP amendment after HUD correction; amendment to appear on Sept. 11 consent agenda

Hamilton County held a public hearing Aug. 28 to satisfy U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) public-participation requirements after HUD notified the county of an administrative error that resulted in the county receiving less HOME-ARP funding than it was entitled to. Jake Berghaus, program manager in the county’s Community Development Division, told the board HUD corrected the error and the county must adopt a substantial amendment to its HOME-ARP allocation plan to receive the additional funds. Berghaus said the amendment reallocates budget categories and authorizes use of the newly awarded dollars. He said the item will appear on the board’s consent agenda for Sept. 11. Commissioners asked clarifying questions about administrative cost percentages; staff explained the administrative line was adjusted to provide a buffer for higher costs over the life of the program (an administrative share was increased from 9% to 12% to address rising administrative costs), and no attendees from the public spoke in opposition at the hearing. Commissioner Stephanie Summeraldumas confirmed the numeric adjustments in the memo. The board closed the hearing by motion and voted to proceed; county staff will present the amendment for formal approval at the next legislative session.