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HOPE board approves November executive committee minutes, sets April co-chair election and next steps
Summary
HOPE members approved prior executive committee minutes by voice vote with several abstentions, were reminded to nominate co-chairs for an April election, and received updates on volunteer PIT training and potential federal grant terminations that may affect local programs.
At the January 2026 meeting of Benton County’s HOPE advisory board, members voted to approve the November executive committee meeting minutes after an edit to attendance.
Commissioner Nancy Weise moved to approve the minutes and Jessica Andrade seconded. HOPE staff indicated that the motion carried after a thumbs-up vote from Nancy Weise, Jessica Andrade, Rachel Mcini and Chris Workman; several members abstained owing to attendance or membership constraints.
Procedural next steps: CRO leadership reminded members that HOPE bylaws require co-chairs and that those elections will occur at the April meeting. Julie Arena said she will follow up via email to solicit interest in serving as co-chair and asked members to identify and empower staff to participate in the planning work for HOPE workgroups.
Volunteer and PIT logistics: CRO staff outlined PIT (point-in-time) count logistics: the sheltered count occurs on the night of Jan. 28 and the unsheltered count is collected across a 10-day window; CRO is recruiting volunteers, will use short video trainings rather than in-person sessions, and said it will provide incentives to support volunteer engagement.
Funding note: April Holland, Benton County public-health director, informed the board of early reports that about 2,800 federal grant awards (roughly $2 billion) may have been terminated. She said county staff had not yet received direct notices and CRO would track state guidance on local impacts.
The meeting concluded after brief roundtable updates and confirmation that CRO will return in April with more detailed proposals and co-chair elections.
