Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council reviews FY 2026–27 CDBG action plan; committee recommends funding sports complex and 13 service providers
Summary
City staff presented the drafted FY 2026–27 CDBG action plan with a final entitlement of $1,424,736. The block grants advisory committee recommended most capital funds for the recreation and parks sports complex and recommended public-service allocations to 11 agencies with contingencies that would add two more agencies if additional funds were confirmed.
At a public hearing on April 7, the City of Santa Maria reviewed the drafted FY 2026–27 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) action plan and a committee recommendation to allocate the city's final entitlement of $1,424,736.
Community Programs Manager Rosi Rojo summarized the application and review process: a community needs assessment, a mandatory pre-application workshop, and committee deliberations in February. Under HUD rules staff set aside 15% for public services and 20% for administration and fair-housing activities; the remainder is available for capital projects.
The block grants advisory committee recommended directing a large portion of capital funds to the Recreation and Parks Department sports complex (third consecutive year of recommendation) while allocating $20,000 for TBR administration. For public services, the committee recommended funding 11 applicants and proposed contingency rules that would fund ranked applicants 12 and 13 if additional funds were available after the final entitlement arrived. City staff said Friday's final allocation produced about $25,000 more than earlier estimates, allowing modest increases under the committee's contingency plan.
A broad set of nonprofit speakers urged full funding or increases for programs serving youth, seniors, people with disabilities, homeless and at-risk populations, victim services and reentry services. Speakers included representatives from Fighting Back, Council on Alcoholism & Drug Abuse (KADA), Access Central Coast, North County Rape Crisis & Child Protection Center, Community Partners and Caring, Meals on Wheels Santa Maria Valley, Boys & Girls Clubs, and others. Several organizations highlighted rising fuel and operating costs and requested higher allocations to maintain service levels.
Council moved to adopt the committee and staff recommendation to fund the 13 agencies as proposed and to return May 5 for final approval of the resolution that will be submitted to HUD. Councilmembers thanked committee volunteers and nonprofit applicants for their work.
