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Trumbull County commissioners back letter opposing proposed federal cuts to CDBG, HOME and related programs
Summary
Trumbull County commissioners voted to authorize a letter to federal lawmakers opposing proposed eliminations or cuts to the Community Development Block Grant and related programs after county planning and sanitary officials warned the moves would imperil local infrastructure projects.
Trumbull County commissioners voted to authorize a letter to U.S. Sens. Robert J. (Bob) Casey and Maria (names not specified in transcript) and Rep. (name not specified in transcript) voicing opposition to proposed federal eliminations or cuts to the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships programs and related programs.
At a public-comment session, Julie Green of the Trumbull County Planning Commission told the board that local governments rely on the programs and that recent county activity shows their reach. "Through the commissioner's office, just in the last 18 months, Trumbull County has either expended, applied for, or received almost $5,000,000," Green said. She cited CDBG and HOME-funded projects, including sanitation and critical-infrastructure work outside city limits, and noted the city of Warren’s annual allocations and other allocations to nearby municipalities.
Gary Newbrow, Trumbull County sanitary engineer, told the commissioners the state revolving loan funds administered by Ohio EPA are the county’s most important funding source for water and sewer projects. "I have received $35,400,000 of 0% loans for these projects," Newbrow said, adding that the county also obtained about $23,000,000 in principal forgiveness — figures he described as the "bedrock" for local projects. He warned that projects now underway, including a multi-phase Meadowbrook project and other treatment-plant work, would be jeopardized if the funding were eliminated.
Commissioners said they would support and sign the letter and asked staff to revise it to add the potential elimination of the Economic Development Administration (EDA). The board instructed staff to circulate a revised letter for signature and to contact congressional offices about the timeline. "We are definitely 100% against the cut," Commissioner (first name not specified) said during the discussion.
The board also asked legal and county staff about how to coordinate communications with federal offices without violating Ohio’s open-meetings law. Bill Danza of the prosecutor’s office recommended designating one commissioner to make inquiries and report back to avoid procedural issues.
Why it matters: CDBG, HOME, EDA and state revolving loan funds are commonly used as match and primary financing for local infrastructure and housing rehabilitation. County officials said elimination would directly affect current projects and low-income residents who rely on those funds for sewer hookups and home repairs.
The action taken: The board voted to authorize the letter to the congressional delegation opposing the proposed eliminations or cuts; commissioners also directed staff to revise the letter to include EDA concerns and pursue fast engagement with federal offices.
What’s next: County staff will revise the letter to include additional programs (state revolving loan funds and EDA) and proceed to obtain signatures and contact congressional offices about timing and next steps.
