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Sarasota gets fresh CDBG‑DR allocation for 2024 storms; staff warns of OMB guidance pause
Summary
County staff reported a new HUD CDBG‑DR allocation for 2024 storms and outlined faster HUD timelines and new eligible uses; officials said an OMB memorandum requiring temporary pauses in grant obligations may affect rollout and staff will report back on implications.
Sarasota County officials told the Board of County Commissioners that HUD has awarded an additional allocation of Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG‑DR) funds tied to the 2024 storms, with staff presenting initial figures and administrative changes. Staff said the county is treated as a second‑time grantee and can leverage prior planning while meeting new requirements under HUD’s Universal Notice, which shortens action‑plan development windows and increases outreach and reporting obligations.
Steve Hyatt of the program management division said the county’s direct allocation for the 2024 storms was presented in the briefing slides as roughly $210 million (staff provided an allocation figure on the slides) and the county’s total direct allocations across 2022 and 2024 were shown in the slide deck. Hyatt highlighted new eligible activities—disaster relief payments, food and utility assistance and increased flexibility for partial LMI credit—and emphasized the 90‑day action plan submission requirement under the Universal Notice unless an extension is requested.
During the meeting staff also flagged a Jan. 2025 Office of Management and Budget memorandum instructing federal agencies to temporarily pause obligations or disbursements of federal financial assistance while agencies provide implementation plans to OMB by Feb. 10. Staff said they are actively assessing whether and how that guidance affects the outflow of CDBG‑DR funds and other federal programs and will return to the board with updates on Feb. 11.
Why it matters: The new allocation could fund housing, infrastructure and economic‑revitalization activities for households impacted by 2024 storms, but the OMB guidance introduces short‑term uncertainty about timing and obligation of funds. Staff emphasized that CDBG‑DR programs require targeted outreach, two public hearings during the public comment period and a citizen advisory group after action‑plan approval.
