Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Housing And Community Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Clay County continues vote on CDBG amendment after questions about nonprofit capacity funding
Summary
The board continued a proposed substantial amendment to the county’s CDBG Annual Action Plan — which would shift roughly $900,000 to sidewalks and add $100,000 to a new nonprofit capacity‑building category — to March 10 after commissioners asked for more transparency on staffing costs and applicant outreach.
Clay County commissioners on Feb. 24 deferred action on a proposed substantial amendment to the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Annual Action Plan after several commissioners raised concerns about a new nonprofit capacity‑building category that could fund start‑up personnel.
Grants manager Megan Covey told the board staff had identified unused prior‑year CDBG funds and proposed reallocating about $900,000 to the county sidewalk program and creating a $100,000 nonprofit capacity line intended to underwrite startup staffing and monthly administration for two applicants, Seeds of Grace and Impact Clay. “What we're proposing is to add an additional $900,000 to our sidewalk program,” Covey said.
Commissioners questioned whether CDBG seed funding should be used for FTEs and asked why only two applicants applied. Several said they wanted more time to review HUD eligibility guidance and to hear directly from both applicants. Impact Clay CEO Connie Thomas described Linksy, the nonprofit’s resource‑directory software, as a county‑wide referral tool that is already live in some local partner sites and that requires ongoing staffing and hosting costs to scale.
After public comment and discussion, the board voted to continue the item to the March 10 meeting so Seeds of Grace can appear and commissioners can consider allocation details and service‑directed alternatives.
The continued hearing will let staff provide fuller procurement and eligibility documentation and give the board time to weigh whether limited startup personnel should be funded with CDBG dollars that normally finance capital and service programs for low‑ and moderate‑income residents.
