Coos Bay to act as fiscal agent for state homeless-services grant after North Bend staffing issues

The Coos Bay City Council voted to accept balance-of-state grant funds from Oregon Housing and Community Services awarded under a program referenced as HB 5019 and to serve as fiscal agent to pass those funds through to local service providers.

Nicole (city staff) explained the funds originate from a statewide allocation intended to support rehousing and the creation of additional shelter beds. The county was the fiscal agent for earlier funds; North Bend had been selected as fiscal agent for this award but staff shortages and capacity issues there delayed the agreement. The advisory board recommended transferring fiscal-agency responsibilities to the City of Coos Bay so the funds could be spent locally.

Nicole said the award is intended as a pass-through: local service providers submit requests to the homeless response office and advisory board for vetting; the advisory board approves subrecipient proposals and the city, as fiscal agent, will authorize draws and distribute funds. Staff said they will provide quarterly reports to the full council on expenditures and outcomes. Speaker 9 moved to adopt the implementing resolution (Resolution 20429) to appropriate funds and authorize the city manager to enter into subrecipient grant agreements with approved local service providers; the council approved the resolution by voice vote.

Staff emphasized the council itself would not individually decide subrecipient awards; that responsibility rests with the advisory board and the homeless response office procedures. At the meeting, staff noted local providers (including an example of a provider who had rehoused 15 people since March) had already begun work and that timely distribution of funds was a priority to avoid delays in services.