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Board reviews Community Development Advisory Committee recommendations for CDBG and HOME funds
Summary
Fort Smith staff presented the Community Development Advisory Committee’s funding recommendations for Year 51 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Year 32 HOME program; board voted to place the item on the May 6 agenda for action and to begin a five‑year plan procurement process.
The Fort Smith Board of Directors received a presentation on project recommendations from the Community Development Advisory Committee for Year 51 of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and Year 32 of the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME). Candice Gabucci, Director of Community Development, told the board that the committee held three public hearings and that staff set conservative funding estimates while HUD allocations remained unannounced.
Gabucci said staff is using flat funding assumptions while awaiting final federal numbers: $780,000 for CDBG and $360,000 for HOME in fiscal year 2025. She noted this will be the final year of the current five‑year plan and that the city has started an RFP process to select a consultant for the next five‑year plan, with outreach and public meetings expected to begin in early summer after consultant selection.
Director Kevin Settle asked when board input and public meetings would begin; Gabucci said the process would start once a consultant is onboarded, likely at the beginning of summer. Board members expressed appreciation for the committee’s work. The board moved and seconded a motion to place the item on the May 6 regular meeting agenda for consideration; the motion carried and the item will return for a formal vote.
No public comments were recorded on the CDBG/HOME recommendation item at this meeting. The presentation emphasized conservative budgeting pending HUD allocations and the upcoming RFP and community engagement for a new five‑year consolidated plan.
