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Pocatello council adopts CDBG 2025 annual action plan after public hearing
Summary
City Council approved the City of Pocatello’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program year 2025 annual action plan, allocating roughly $350,000 to housing, public services, infrastructure and administration following a public hearing with one opponent and staff responses.
The Pocatello City Council voted to adopt the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program year 2025 annual action plan and authorized submission to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Christine Howe, the city's grants manager, told the council the plan is the program-year implementation of Pocatello’s 2022–2026 consolidated plan and that the city estimates approximately $350,000 in entitlement funding with about $25,000 in program income for program year 2025, which runs April 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026. Howe said the CDBG advisory committee recommended funding for activities including a lead hazard control match, home-repair renewal loans, case management for homeless persons, after-school programming, services for persons with disabilities, dental services, emergency social services, sidewalks and ADA ramps, and work at the youth homeless shelter.
Howe said the city followed the adopted citizen participation plan, held a written comment period from Dec. 13, 2024, to Jan. 16, 2025, and received no written comments before the hearing.
During the public hearing a member of the public who identified himself as Jason (General Delivery, Pocatello) opposed the use of the funds, arguing the city should not use federal funds for private or faith-based entities. "This is socialism," he said, and said government should not provide those services. Council members and staff replied that the CDBG program is a federal entitlement administered under HUD rules and that all funded activities must meet HUD national objectives to assist low- and moderate-income residents. "All of these funds need to meet a national objective, which we achieve by helping our low and moderate income populations," Howe said.
Council President Loehrk moved to adopt the PY2025 action plan as presented; Council Member Paulson seconded. After brief remarks from Council Member Mansfield criticizing the public opponent’s tone, the council approved the plan by roll call.
Howe said any substantive change to the plan exceeding 25% of the budget would return to council for approval. If HUD approves the submission and the federal budget allocates the entitlement, the city will receive the grant amounts through HUD’s process.
