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Porterville Adopts 2025–29 CDBG Consolidated Plan and 2025 Action Plan after Lower HUD Allocation; Public Speaker Urges Rejection
Summary
City council adopted the five‑year consolidated plan and the 2025 action plan for Community Development Block Grant funds after HUD announced a lower grant amount; a public speaker at the hearing accused the city of past mismanagement and asked council to reject the plan pending audits.
The Porterville City Council voted 5-0 to adopt the City’s 2025–2029 Consolidated Plan and the fiscal‑year 2025 action plan for investment of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) entitlement funds. Staff told the council the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development had announced the city’s 2025 entitlement allocation at $653,932, lower than the 2024 allocation of $710,793 used when the draft plan was earlier prepared, and staff adjusted the action plan accordingly.
Luis Abala, who presented the staff report, said the proposed action plan reflects the recommendation of the CDBG Citizens Advisory Committee and accounts for the lower HUD allocation. Staff recommended adoption and authorization for the city manager to execute necessary documents.
During the public hearing, a resident identified as Paul Flores urged the council to reject the plan and called for federal intervention and forensic audits, alleging a long record of mismanagement and civil‑rights concerns tied to prior project funding. Flores specifically criticized the city's use of funds for some projects he said did not meet HUD’s low‑ and moderate‑income benefit tests and raised procedural complaints about public‑notice timing for hearings.
City staff and council members acknowledged the public comment but said the plan was vetted by the Citizens Advisory Committee and that the lower HUD allocation required the revised budget. After discussion the council approved the draft resolution adopting the consolidated plan and action plan and authorized the city manager to sign the necessary documents.
The council’s vote allows staff to submit the action plan to HUD and continue programs intended to benefit Porterville’s low‑ and moderate‑income residents, while officials indicated they would continue to coordinate with HUD and the Citizens Advisory Committee to implement the programs and monitor compliance.
The record shows the city will proceed with the revised allocation, and staff said they will continue public engagement as projects move forward.
