Pasco planning commission narrows 2026 CDBG options, recommends option 1 to city council

The City of Pasco Planning Commission on the evening of its regularly scheduled meeting moved to strike an option that would have limited the 2026 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) allocations to housing and later voted to forward a mixed-allocation recommendation to the city council for final decision.

Staff presented three staff-recommended allocation options for the 2026 CDBG work plan: option 1 (a mix of housing, economic development and public service activities); option 2 (housing and economic development only); and option 3 (a mix similar to option 1 but with different funding splits). Miss Webb, city staff, said the available funds after administration and a Section 108 payment totaled “less than $300,000.”

The commission unanimously voted to remove option 2 from consideration, a motion made by Commissioner Pat Jones and seconded by Commissioner Rosa Torres. After further discussion on program priorities — including concerns about using grant funds for code-enforcement salaries and the relative benefit of funding playground equipment versus other park projects — Commissioner Jones moved that the panel recommend option 1 to the city council. Commissioner Jay Handler seconded that motion. The commission vote, as recorded in the meeting, resulted in the recommendation being forwarded to a city council workshop for final action.

Why it matters: CDBG dollars are federal funds administered by HUD with explicit national objectives. How the commission allocates Pasco’s share affects local housing rehabilitation, public services for low- and moderate-income residents and small capital projects such as park improvements.

Discussion highlights and clarifying details - Parks request: Pasco Parks and Recreation sought $100,000 for Piazza Park North refurbishment; staff recommended $5,000 under the draft options. Commissioner Waits asked whether a $5,000 allocation would meaningfully support the park’s projects; staff said other funding sources exist for that park and any CDBG allocation would be supplemental.

- Code enforcement: Commissioner Torres questioned whether using CDBG funds to cover a code-enforcement position is appropriate, saying that “it seems like something we should fund out of the city budget, not with grant money.” Staff said HUD’s risk assessment and program rules inform eligibility and that the risk score derives from HUD’s form evaluating applicants’ history and audit findings.

- Housing programs and partners: Staff explained the city’s long-standing owner-occupied rehabilitation program (used for roof repairs, ADA ramps, HVAC and electrical work) and contrasted that with new or first-time applicants such as Habitat for Humanity, which did not apply the prior year.

Next steps: The planning commission’s recommendation will be presented at a city council workshop; the council will make the final allocation decision and any adjustments to the work plan.

Quotes (from the meeting) "Our money should go towards funding good local organizations, and I did not believe that organization was a good fit," Commissioner Pat Jones said when discussing previous applicants.

"There’s probably, like, 7 questions [on the HUD risk form], and at the end there’s a score, and that’s where it comes up with the risk," Miss Webb said describing HUD’s risk assessment process.

Ending: The commission’s recommendation will move to the city council for final approval; staff indicated the council workshop will be the venue for the final decision.