Supervisors get CDBG briefing; board votes to ask federal representatives to support future funding

County planning staff on Oct. 7 summarized how Kern County receives and administers Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and warned that future federal allocations are uncertain.

Craig Murphy, planning director, and Teresa Pickens (administrative/human resources) told the board the county typically receives between $4 million and $6 million annually in CDBG funds, that HUD rules allow a 20% administrative set-aside, and that staff has a six-year window to spend allocations. Murphy said CARES Act funding was administered differently from annual CDBG allocations and noted the county's process for evaluating applications, eligibility under HUD’s national objectives, and the schedule for bringing an annual action plan to the board.

Supervisors asked whether funds can be reallocated midyear for urgent needs. Murphy said amendments are possible but require a process and eligibility verification. Supervisor Couch raised questions about location labels in staff attachments after redistricting; staff said they would review and correct district references. The CEO's office clarified that some IBank (Section 108) loans have been repaid through CDBG allocations and that the county is nearing the end of that loan obligation.

Supervisor Parlier moved that the board send a letter to local federal representatives asking them to support continued CDBG funding in the next federal budget; the board seconded and approved the motion unanimously.

Staff noted that if federal CDBG funds are reduced or eliminated, some previously funded projects could still proceed but the county may need to cover obligations from the general fund or reallocate internally; staff said they will return to the board with updates if federal appropriations change.

The board approved the motion to request federal support and directed staff to proceed with the letter and related coordination.