Goodyear holds public hearing on draft FY26 CDBG annual plan; council to act after HUD allocation known

City staff presented the draft fiscal year 2026 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) annual plan at a public hearing on March 24, describing how the city would use an anticipated HUD entitlement award and the program's national objectives.

Christina Pantetescu, Community Partnerships Program Manager, explained the city's five‑year consolidated plan framework and said activities must meet national objectives (benefiting low‑ and moderate‑income persons) and fit priority categories such as community facilities, public services, program administration and, in exceptional cases, housing or economic development. She reviewed prior CDBG investments since Goodyear became an entitlement jurisdiction in 2021, including LED streetlights, shelter remodeling for a domestic violence center and a playground at Palmonteer Park. The FY26 draft proposes using approximately 20% of the entitlement for program administration and up to 15% for teacher salaries at the Southwest Valley YMCA Early Learning Center to expand capacity; the remainder would support capital and public‑service activities pending final allocation.

Pantetescu said the exact FY26 entitlement amount is not yet finalized by HUD due to a continuing resolution; staff planned allocations on a working estimate and will update the plan when HUD publishes final numbers. The public comment period for the draft closes April 10; staff will return to council on May 5 to incorporate public comments and seek authorization to submit the final plan to HUD by the May 15 deadline. No formal council action was taken at the hearing.

Pantetescu reiterated that projects must demonstrate benefit to low‑ and moderate‑income persons either by financial eligibility or area benefit and said the full draft plan is available on the city website.