Warren County holds public hearing on CDBG FY2025 allocation; commissioners approve small budget modification to fund housing study

The Warren County Board of Commissioners held a public hearing to announce the county’s fiscal year 2025 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) allocation of $237,050 and approved a budget modification that channels administrative CDBG funds into planning for a countywide housing study.

County staff told the board that, as an entitlement community under the CDBG program, Warren County may retain up to 18% of its annual CDBG award for administrative expenses. At the hearing staff said the modification will move a small portion of those administrative dollars to help fund the housing study; staff also said the study will include additional funding sources, including a $40,000 contribution from the general fund and $20,000 in program funding from Warm Works.

The housing study, staff said, is a “planning-related project” that is an allowable use of administrative funds and is intended to inform how future CDBG dollars are allocated across the county. Staff described the hearing as an initial step: municipalities and eligible nonprofit partners will be invited to submit project proposals, staff will refine recommendations and return the package for a second public hearing next month, and, if approved, the county will submit the CDBG application in October.

Staff reviewed the three national objectives that all CDBG-funded projects must meet: benefit low- and moderate-income persons (defined as households earning less than 80% of area median income), prevent or eliminate slums and blight, or address urgent threats to public safety. Eligible activities listed at the hearing included acquisition, demolition, water and sewer infrastructure, sidewalks and streets, and planning activities tied to one of the national objectives.

Staff also said three required plans or policies — an anti-displacement policy, a Section 3 policy to prioritize economic opportunities for low-income residents on CDBG-assisted projects, and related program documents — will go to public review and return to the board for formal adoption next month.

The board approved the CDBG fiscal-year budget modification by voice vote. A commissioner moved to approve the transfer of administrative funds to the housing study; another commissioner seconded the motion. After a voice vote of “aye,” the chair said, “Motion carried.”

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 3304 and Resolution 3305 — Fair Housing Act resolutions for Warren County and the CDBG program: approved (voice vote). - Resolution 3306 — Authorization to submit a Main Street Matters planning application (regional main street planning for Sugar Grove and Sheffield) with a 25% match provided by partners: approved (voice vote). - Resolution 3307 — Approve FY2024 CDBG budget modification (channels administrative funds to the county housing study): approved (voice vote). - Resolution 3308 — Authorization to sell a county vehicle (2018 Ford Escape) via online auction: approved (voice vote). - Act 13 applications — Bike-trail rehabilitation (engineering; requested $25,000), Allegheny River cleanup ($500), Sheffield/Saybrook bridge rehabilitation ($50,000 request on an estimated $1,400,000 project): all approved (voice votes). - Buffalo Architectural Castings estimate for restoration/painting ($14,720): approved (voice vote). - Appointment — Barry Van Ward to fill an unexpired Agricultural Land Preservation Board term through December 2026: approved (voice vote). - Repository sale — 7440 Route 6 to Savon King (bid $500): approved (voice vote).

Why it matters

CDBG is federal funding administered to entitlement communities for housing, infrastructure and planning that benefit low- and moderate-income residents. The county’s decision to use administrative funds for a housing study directs planning resources toward understanding housing needs and may influence which infrastructure and housing projects receive CDBG dollars in the coming application cycle.

Next steps

Staff said they will solicit project proposals from municipalities and nonprofit partners, bring recommendations to a second public hearing next month, and — provided board approval — submit the county’s application in October. The anti-displacement policy and Section 3 plan also will be posted for public comment and return to the commissioners for action.