Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Bellevue approves 2025–26 CDBG action plan with $342,457 budget; pantry and literacy projects highlighted
Summary
The council adopted Resolution 2025-14 approving the city’s October 2025–September 2026 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) action plan and a $342,457 budget; public commenters described Bellevue Food Pantry expansion and Bellevue Public Schools literacy programs, and staff warned of proposed federal cuts to CDBG funding.
Bellevue City Council on Tuesday adopted Resolution 2025-14, approving the city’s 2025–26 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) action plan and a grant budget not to exceed $342,457.
The council opened a public hearing on the action plan. Aaron Bowen, executive director of Eastern Nebraska Community Action Partnership (ENCAP), spoke about the Bellevue Food Pantry renovation and expansion. Bowen said the pantry has purchased refrigeration and freezer units and plans to add a truck-turnaround for emergency food distribution; he told the council the group hopes to begin construction in the first quarter of next year and finish by December 2026. Bowen also noted the pantry is working to serve military families and coordinate with Offutt Air Force Base.
Sue Felstead of Bellevue Public Schools described the school district’s family literacy work and the partnership with Metropolitan Community College to offer adult English classes and GED support. Felstead asked the council to consider outreach strategies to ensure residents learn about available services.
City CDBG coordinator Abby Hyland explained the funding table presented to the council: the packet showed $969,751 in requests, but the city’s actual available CDBG funds for the program year total $342,457. Hyland told the council she and staff prioritized awards from the larger request list and that the federal CDBG program faces potential reductions; she said a FY2026 federal proposal discussed in the meeting materials included a possible 70% cut to CDBG, which would, if enacted, reduce Bellevue’s allocation significantly. Hyland urged advocacy to protect CDBG funding.
After public comment and staff discussion, Councilwoman Welch moved to approve Resolution 2025-14; Councilwoman Collins seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
The approved action plan includes funding decisions for local nonprofits and municipal projects from the $342,457 budget; the packet lists other requested projects that were not funded this year because of limited allocations. City staff said they will continue to monitor federal appropriations and report any changes to the council.
