Council opens CAPER hearing as staff outlines CDBG spending; approves park reallocations and accessible-playground resolution

The Taylor City Council opened a public hearing on the Program Year 2024 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and approved several park-related funding actions.

CDBG staff summarized the draft CAPER: current expenditures totaled approximately $297,131 and staff anticipated a final draw that could increase that total by roughly $80,000–$100,000. Staff said 100% of reported expenditures qualified as low/mod benefit and that public-services spending on the draft stood at 11.2% (the cap is 15%), while administrative costs were at 15.7% (the 20% cap is expected to be met with final draw adjustments). Staff explained roads are eligible for CDBG only when located within HUD-defined low/mod benefit areas and that city-funded work uses separate procurement processes.

Separately, the council approved an amendment to park millage allocations that reallocates $75,334 to construct pickleball courts at Heritage Park, covering roughly 41% of the build-out per staff calculations. Councilmembers described the action as leveraging saved millage pots across fiscal years and noted the project was a high-value use of park funds.

Council also passed a resolution supporting development of an accessible playground at Heritage Park to improve inclusion for children with special needs. Councilwoman Witten said the resolution would help secure grant funding and noted families had submitted supporting letters. Mayor Wooley and staff reiterated that accessibility is an administration priority and that Lang Park is being built to be fully wheelchair-accessible.

Ending: The public hearing was closed later in the meeting and motions related to CAPER were carried; staff will complete the final drawdown and return with final CAPER figures.