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Yuma County grants office says it secured roughly $192 million over 30 years; highlights Tacna water project and owner‑occupied rehab
Summary
Community Planning Administrative Director Diane Veloz briefed supervisors on the county Grants Division’s structure, portfolio and recent awards including $13 million for a Tacna water infrastructure project and multiple owner‑occupied housing rehabilitations.
Diane Veloz, community planning administrative director and head of Yuma County’s Grants Division, gave the Board of Supervisors an overview on March 10 of the office’s staffing, recent results and active projects.
Veloz described a five‑person division that identifies grant opportunities, writes and applies for funding, and manages compliance through project closeout. "Securing grants is just the beginning — implementing and managing compliance is where the real work happens," she told the board.
Context and key figures: Veloz said the county has secured about $192 million in external funding over roughly 30 years, including about $65 million related to COVID‑era and ARPA programs. She highlighted the Tacna water infrastructure project as an example: planning funded by CDBG and later supported by $13 million in USDA and WIFA funding plus $1 million in ARPA, a package she said will serve roughly 75 homes and an estimated 555 residents in the town of Tacna.
The grants office also manages an owner‑occupied housing rehabilitation program that Veloz said has rehabilitated or reconstructed about 154 homes since 2007. She contrasted the county program’s output — about nine to ten homes per year with two positions — with a city counterpart that rehabilitates roughly seven homes per year with five staff, arguing efficiency in the county operation.
Why it matters: Veloz said grant funds reduce pressure on the county’s operating budget and enable infrastructure and housing projects that would otherwise be infeasible. She listed active and past funders including USDA, WIFA, HUD, EPA, FEMA, Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs (AZDEMA) and DOJ, and described the varying compliance requirements each funder imposes.
Looking ahead: The division is pursuing broadband, affordable housing and economic development grants and is seeking a centralized grants‑management system and search tools to increase competitiveness. Veloz asked for continued board support for strategic grant pursuits and said the division is focused on maintaining low audit risk and meeting post‑award compliance requirements.
Board reaction: Supervisors praised the compliance work and the Tacna water project in particular; one supervisor said the county should prioritize grants that have broad community benefit rather than ones that benefit few. No action was taken; supervisors directed staff to continue seeking strategic funding.
