Leslie council authorizes ACEDP/CDBG grant applications, adopts anti‑displacement plan

The City Council of Leslie on Aug. 4 voted to authorize submission of state and federal grant applications and to adopt a required anti‑displacement policy as part of that package. The council passed Resolution 1‑28 authorizing the mayor to apply to the Arkansas Community and Economic Development Program (ACEDP) and, if awarded, to expend funds for community development activities.

Councilors then approved Resolution 1‑29, designating the Northwest Arkansas Economic Development District (NWAEDD) as the project administrator for the anticipated CDBG grant, and adopted Resolution 1‑30, an anti‑displacement plan required by the Housing and Community Development Act and by state grant rules. Speaker 6 explained that the anti‑displacement plan lists replacement and relocation procedures that become relevant only if a funded activity causes displacement; city staff (Speaker 7) told the council that the proposed wastewater rehabilitation “will not…displace anyone” but that a policy must still be in place to meet program requirements.

Why it matters: state and federal community development funds require municipalities to document how they will prevent or mitigate displacement and to name an administrator capable of managing grant compliance. Council members asked staff clarifying questions about the interplay between eligible activities and potential displacement before voting.

Quotes and process: Speaker 3 moved to adopt Resolution 1‑28 and Speaker 4 seconded the motion; the item carried. On the anti‑displacement plan, Speaker 7 said the policy is largely a required, precautionary document for grant eligibility and emphasized the wastewater project itself would not trigger relocation.

Next steps: Staff will submit the applications and, if the grants are awarded, the city will execute any necessary agreements with NWAEDD and follow the plan’s procedures for relocation assistance if displacement arises.