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Board picks three projects for 2025 CDBG applications, prioritizes septic replacements in small towns
Summary
Yavapai County supervisors on Wednesday approved submitting three CDBG grant applications to fund food-bank upgrades, a housing-repair program with NACOG, and phased replacement of failing cesspools in small towns.
The Yavapai County Board of Supervisors voted to submit three Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) applications to the Arizona Department of Housing and NACOG, prioritizing projects that address food access, housing repairs and public-health risks from failing on-site wastewater systems.
Development Services Director Jeremy Dye and Isabelle Rollins of the Northern Arizona Council of Governments (NACOG) briefed the board on the federal program and the county’s competitive process. Dye said the county currently estimates an allocation around $1.3 million; NACOG confirmed final amounts will be set by the Department of Housing. The county may submit up to three projects and keep additional proposals as alternates.
County Manager Maury Thompson explained staff criteria for recommendation: prioritize basic needs (water, sanitation, food and shelter), favor one-time capital projects over ongoing program costs, and consider geographic distribution around the county. Using that framework, staff proposed combining two complementary food projects and funding housing repair and septic-replacement efforts:
- Combined food-bank building upgrades and expansion that would include a Meals on Wheels hub and Prescott Valley Food Bank improvements (combined request ~$519,500 as staff presented). - Verde Valley Habitat for Humanity home repairs and rehabilitation (recommended $400,000). - A phased program to replace failing cesspools with septic systems in Ash Fork and Seligman (staff recommended a partial allocation of about $280,500 toward an estimated $500,000 request, with the project scalable).
"We know the program is administrative heavy, but the most basic needs — water, sanitation and food — guided our recommendations," Thompson said. He added that if the final federal allocation exceeds the county’s current estimate, the county could increase funding for the septic-replacement project.
Speakers representing applicants addressed the board. Quentin Ellis of Steps to Recovery Homes said a CDBG award would permit the purchase of a transitional home in Cottonwood to support people recovering from substance-use disorders and facing housing barriers. Tanya Sims, speaking for Verde Valley Habitat for Humanity, asked the board to fund home repairs that preserve affordable housing for low- and very-low-income homeowners; she said Verde Valley requests typically serve households at or below 60% of area median income.
Supervisor Compton disclosed he serves on the board of Prescott Meals on Wheels and recommended a future county study of food programs to identify coverage gaps. The board approved Resolution 21-2144 and directed staff to submit the three applications; the motion carried unanimously.
Staff said environmental reviews and federal procurement requirements will follow if projects are selected for funding; grant contracts typically begin in the fall after state review.
The board also identified other proposals to hold as alternates if funding or feasibility changes, and asked staff to coordinate with NACOG on administration and any competitive opportunities.
