Resident asks why her street was excluded from prior CDBG sewer project; commissioners outline income‑based eligibility

A Jones County resident asked July 15 why her street off New Clinton Road did not receive sewer connections when the adjacent Sunset Valley neighborhood did, and county officials explained the role of federal income criteria in eligibility for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding.

Cheryl Cabiness, who said she lives on Flora Whites Drive, told the board some homes on her street have septic problems and asked whether the sewer line could be extended to her neighborhood. Commissioner Martin replied that the prior project was funded through a CDBG grant and that federal income limits and demonstrated need guided which lots were included. "When the original study was done ... that area was the one that qualified income based," Martin said.

Martin said the adjacent project had roughly 38 qualifying lots at the time and that regional staff had canvassed residents; the county did not pay for all costs but helped negotiate federal assistance. He estimated a typical septic replacement cost at about $12,000 (based on a recent replacement by a commissioner), and said that small dead‑end streets with only a few houses often do not meet CDBG thresholds for federal funding. "If there's another way that her community could get the sewer probably taken care of without having to qualify for that income restriction, then what would her other option be?" he said, noting homeowners can replace failing septic systems individually.

Commissioner Martin offered to help canvass the neighborhood and asked the resident to provide contact information so staff could research possible options. No funding commitment or project approval was made during the meeting; staff indicated they would follow up to determine whether the neighborhood might qualify for future grant opportunities or other assistance.