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Board told federal law requires CSBG advisory board; staff asks commissioners to adopt resolution and bylaws
Summary
Grant manager Larry Wallace asked the board to approve a resolution establishing a tripartite Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) advisory board and to adopt bylaws; staff said federal CSBG regulations require an advisory board and outlined membership, selection processes and two required annual meetings.
Grant manager Larry Wallace requested that the board approve a resolution creating the Spalding County Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Advisory Board and adopt its governing bylaws. Wallace told the board the advisory body is a federal compliance requirement for the CSBG funds the county receives through the Georgia Department of Human Services and local partners.
Wallace outlined the proposed structure: a tripartite board with a minimum of three and a maximum of nine members; one‑third of members must be low‑income representatives chosen through a democratic selection process among eligible program participants, one‑third are elected officials or their designees, and the remaining members represent private‑sector interests (business, labor, nonprofits, faith‑based groups and similar). Members would serve two‑year staggered terms and could serve a maximum of two consecutive terms. The advisory board would meet at least twice yearly (initial application review and any reallocation of carryover funds) and would operate under Georgia open‑meetings law.
Why it matters: CSBG funds support services for low‑income residents (examples given include senior nutrition, after‑school and summer programs administered through local partners). Wallace said failure to establish the advisory board could jeopardize the county’s CSBG funding.
Board members asked questions about which grant programs fall under the advisory board’s oversight; staff said programs administered through three Rivers (such as some nutrition and boost grants) and other CSBG‑funded services would be within the advisory board’s purview. Commissioners also discussed the mechanics of selecting low‑income representatives and the practicalities of scheduling meetings; staff said the membership model follows federal rules used by other counties and highlighted Cobb County’s three‑member model as a working analog.
Actions and next steps: Wallace recommended the board approve the resolution and bylaws at the evening meeting so the county meets the federal compliance requirement. Staff said they will post applications and coordinate the democratic selection process for low‑income representatives and that administrative staff would serve in non‑voting support roles for the advisory board.
