The Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency approved an administrative amendment to the applicable annual action plan to reflect a small increase in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) entitlement funding.

The measure, approved 4–0 with one abstention from Cheyenne, the committee chairperson, recognizes that HUD’s records show $1,213,000 in entitlement funding for the year rather than the $1,212,000 previously recorded.

Agency staff described the change as the result of a minor HUD error requiring an amendment to the year’s action plan. A staff member said, “the good news is we got a little bit more money, than it was previously allocated…so instead of the 1.212 rounding up million dollars, we’re getting $1,213,000.” The same staff member added that they have “already contacted our field office to ask that they open up that action plan so I can do that today,” but that the office would likely not be able to complete the change until next week.

Staff told the agency that the extra funds will be applied to supportive services and administrative uses; capacity-building funding had already reached its cap. The staff member noted the practical effect on contracts: the agency has existing agreements with service providers Reach and 2-1-1 for intake and eligibility processing, and there is approximately $1,400 in additional funding that will need to be allocated and added to those contracts.

Donna, who seconded the motion, asked why Reach and 2-1-1 were not named in the action-plan amendment; staff replied that the allocation plan framework initially designated funds to supportive services generally and did not identify specific providers, although separate funding agreements for Reach and 2-1-1 exist.

The vote was recorded in the public meeting transcript as 4 in favor with Cheyenne abstaining; agency staff characterized the needed steps as administrative and said they would implement the amendment once the HUD field office reopens the plan.

Meeting material and staff remarks indicate no change to program eligibility or service priorities under the action plan beyond the minor increase in available funding.

The IURA will implement the amendment through a letter agreement amending existing grant documentation and contracts as needed.