Price City holds first CDBG public hearing; fire apparatus replacement discussed

Price City held its first public hearing on Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) eligibility and potential applications, and council members and public commenters discussed using the competitive district funds to help replace aging fire apparatus.

Unidentified Speaker 3 convened the hearing and explained the CDBG Small Cities Program is administered through the State of Utah’s Housing and Community Development division and is intended to fund a range of activities “including, but not limited to, construction of public works and facilities, water and sewer lines, fire stations, acquisitions of real property, and provision of public service such as food banks or homeless shelters.” The speaker said a second public hearing would be held if Price City selects a specific project to sponsor.

An unidentified city official provided contact information for follow-up (Justin North) and accessibility instructions for those needing accommodations. The council formally opened the hearing after a motion recorded on the minutes: a motion was announced as coming from council member Miller with a second attributed to council member Jesperson; the council then voted in favor and the hearing proceeded.

Speakers described how Price City has used CDBG funds in the past for projects such as ADA access improvements to the library basement and, roughly 18 months earlier, the purchase of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBAs) for the fire department. The district-wide pot of funds administered by the Association of Governments was described during discussion as an estimated $504,284; one speaker said the true total might be closer to $750,000, but noted set-asides (for housing rehab and planning) reduce the amount available for competitive project grants.

Members of the fire department urged the city to consider appliance or apparatus replacement. An unidentified fire representative warned two trucks are showing heavy wear; he gave rough cost estimates: an engine replacement at about $950,000, a smaller medical/light-rescue truck at roughly $140,000, and a mid-range apparatus in the neighborhood of $425,000 to $500,000 as potentially more attainable through grant funding. The speaker emphasized that CDBG likely could not cover the full cost of a large engine but could contribute toward equipment or a smaller unit.

Unidentified Speaker 1 and others explained the selection process: if Price City sponsors a project, officials would hold a second public hearing on that project, submit an application to the regional ranking committee, and await the Association of Governments’ ranking and award process. Officials cautioned that applications may receive partial funding, be funded in future cycles, or not be funded at all.

Near the close, an unidentified speaker moved to end public comment and close the hearing; the motion was recorded as coming from council member Willis with a second from council member Miller. The council voted in favor, the motion carried, and the meeting adjourned at 4:48 p.m. The presiding official asked that the hearing minutes be sent to Justin North for follow-up.

Next steps: the council may decide to sponsor a specific project and schedule the second, project-specific public hearing; any application would then proceed through the regional ranking and award process.