KANE COUNTY, Ill. — Kane County staff presented the county’s five-year HUD consolidated plan and related substantial amendments on Aug. 6, and board members questioned a reallocation of previously unspent Community Development Block Grant funds to a North Aurora park project.

Mark Van Kirkhoff, a county staff member who described the HUD grants process, told the board, “This is money that comes to the county from HUD. We've been receiving it as an entitlement county since 1998.” He explained the county must submit an action plan each year and a consolidated plan every five years to remain eligible for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME funding.

Most items on the related slate — including the consolidated plan, HOME-ARP adjustments and Emergency Rental Assistance projects — moved through committees for approval. But during review of an amendment that would reallocate $175,000 originally set for homelessness and supportive services plus about $30,323 in administrative funds to infrastructure for North Aurora Veterans Memorial Park, board members raised concerns.

Board member Juby (transcript spelling) challenged the change: “So we're taking a $175,000 from homeless and supportive services after what I just heard in the last thing, and we're giving it to a memorial. Can someone explain that to me?” Van Kirkhoff and others explained the money in question had not been spent and was subject to a HUD timeliness test; staff and the Community Development Commission recommended reallocating those unspent funds to an eligible, shovel-ready public project in North Aurora. Van Kirkhoff said that “these funds that were were not expended in those back in those program years and are still available, to be used,” and that the commission vetted the projects.

Several board members pressed staff on whether the reallocation would reduce funding for homelessness programs in the county. The board ultimately voted to remove the amendment from consent so it could be discussed in detail at the full board. A motion to withdraw the consent approval was made and seconded; the item will return for fuller explanation and a separate vote.

Other HUD-related matters approved or moved forward included the county’s consolidated plan submission to HUD, a substantial amendment to the HOME-ARP allocation plan and approval of projects using Emergency Rental Assistance funds. Staff said the U.S. Senate had restored CDBG and HOME funding in the federal appropriations process, making continued use of those entitlements likely.

Ending: County staff will return with additional detail on the $175,000 reallocation, including why those specific program-year funds were available and what projects remain eligible under HUD rules; the amendment will be considered off consent at the next full board meeting.