Spalding County to accept $87,040 CSBG boost to expand senior meals and backpack program

Larry Wallace presented a request for Budget Amendment 2 to add $87,040 to Spalding County's Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) FY2026 budget, saying the Georgia Department of Human Services passed through an increased federal allocation this month.

Wallace said the added funds would be allocated as follows: $36,250 for senior nutrition to expand home-delivered meals (allowing service to about 15 more seniors), about $25,000 to expand the backpack program (adding roughly 156 children to reach 273 children served across eight schools), $12,500 for CSBG program training (to send board members and the grants manager to the annual conference in Savannah), $4,000 for the Salvation Army summer program, and the balance to administration or subgrantee requests. "We're requesting the $87,040 be allocated as follows," Wallace said, listing the program-specific amounts and noting that any unspent funds will roll into FY2027 because the grant runs through Sept. 30, 2026.

Wallace told commissioners the CSBG advisory board met May 14 and unanimously recommended approval, satisfying the federal requirement for an approval recommendation before coming to the board. He said the additional allocation resulted from Congress increasing CSBG appropriations and that earlier federal shutdowns delayed passage and distribution.

Commissioners asked procedural questions about reporting and matching. Wallace said his office handles reporting and compliance. He also confirmed his office is preparing an animal-control grant application from the state in coordination with Director Hennessy after a commissioner inquired about available grants for animal control.

Chair Davis said the board would take a formal vote on the amendment at the 6:00 p.m. meeting.

The CSBG amendment will appear on the evening agenda for formal action; the advisory board has already voted to recommend approval.