Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Housing And Community Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Texas City holds first public hearing on 2026 CDBG action plan; staff proposes housing rehabilitation and $69,000 parks funding
Summary
City staff presented the draft 2026 Community Development Block Grant action plan, highlighting housing rehabilitation (about 12 homeowner households expected, average $20,000 each), public services capped at 15% and administration at 20%, and neighborhood/public facilities improvements including a proposed $69,000 parks allocation; commissioners and residents asked for clearer online reporting and transparency.
City staff presented the draft 2026 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Annual Action Plan during a first public hearing and invited public comment on priorities including housing rehab, public services and neighborhood facilities.
"The purpose of this public hearing is to present the 2026 annual action plan draft for the upcoming program year and to provide the residents, stakeholders, and the community organizations an opportunity to offer comments and recommendations before the plan is finalized and submitted to HUD," said Patricia Bonner, director for community development and grants administration.
Bonner summarized the program’s structure under HUD entitlement rules, noting the plan’s four funding priorities. She said public-service activities are funded within HUD’s allowable 15% cap and administration and program delivery are within a 20% cap. She described housing rehabilitation as the plan’s largest proposed investment and said the program expects to assist approximately 12 owner‑occupied households with an average investment of about $20,000 per home, capped at $20,000 per household.
Commissioners pressed for clarifications. One asked whether the $69,000 proposed for park improvements would fund capital work or administration; Bonner said the list captures eligible neighborhood and public‑facility activities and that some parks (for example Sanders) are eligible while others (for example Carver) are not. She also said prior‑year allocations total about $1.2 million and that end‑of‑year CAPER reporting compiles accomplishments and ongoing work.
During public comment, Henry Gomez urged the commission to ensure CDBG funds serve residents and not administrators, saying he had repeatedly sought annual reports and evaluations he said were not provided. Juan David Rodriguez asked that program spending be summarized in a single online page and Chris Walters urged broader outreach about hearings and hearings' notice beyond minimal posting.
After public comment the commission closed the hearing by voice vote. The public comment period for the plan remains open through 07/01/2026, and staff said paper and online comments will be accepted and considered before the plan is finalized and submitted to HUD.
