Yuma County ranks CDBG regional applicants; food bank set as top priority amid debate over impact
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Summary
Board reviewed regional‑account CDBG applications and ranked the Yuma Community Food Bank as its top priority for a $300,000 request. Supervisors debated whether funds should prioritize projects that benefit large numbers of residents or smaller, localized rehabs in Colonias.
The Yuma County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 19 reviewed Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) regional‑account applications and agreed on board rankings to guide the county—application to the Arizona Department of Housing.
Diana Veloz, County Administration Planning and Grants staff, explained Yuma County is a non‑entitlement jurisdiction that applies to the state for CDBG funds on a biennial basis. Staff said the county may submit up to three applications and summarized the regional proposals the board considered: Yuma Community Food Bank (requesting $300,000 to replace an aging freezer), Housing America (window/HVAC upgrades and one unit renovation for ADA compliance), and Campesinos San Fronteras (owner‑occupied housing rehabilitation for 20 low‑income households, requesting $110,000). Staff estimated available regional‑account funding in the $380,000 range (staff noted this is an estimate subject to the state's allocation).
Board ranking and debate: supervisors generally agreed to rank the Yuma Community Food Bank first and to advance the Food Bank's $300,000 request as the county's top submission to ADOH. The board discussed next priorities if available funding is insufficient to award three projects, and staff noted that if the Food Bank receives full funding the remaining funds would be insufficient to fully fund all other requests. Several supervisors emphasized fiduciary and equity considerations: one supervisor urged prioritizing projects that serve the largest number of residents countywide, while another urged continuing to seek projects that benefit the Colonias and rural communities.
Process and next steps: Veloz said applications are due to the state on May 26 and that the county will hold a second required public meeting to finalize which projects will be submitted. She also said the county will pursue state special projects (competitive) and the Colonia set‑aside for owner‑occupied housing rehabilitation (available up to $500,000). The board directed staff to proceed with the ranked list as the county's priorities and to return with required documentation and a second public hearing prior to the May submittal.
Public comment and local context: county staff noted prior regional projects have included community services and infrastructure; supervisors referenced earlier county efforts and concerns that some past county direction—particularly efforts aimed at B & C/Colonia areas—were not fully implemented. Board members asked staff to continue seeking higher‑impact projects countywide while also pursuing Colonia‑eligible opportunities when appropriate.
The board did not adopt final award amounts in the meeting; members formalized project rankings and directed staff to submit applications consistent with those rankings.
