Palm Beach County reviews draft 2026–27 HUD action plan as commissioners press for lower admin costs

Palm Beach County commissioners on Tuesday reviewed the draft 2026–2027 HUD Annual Action Plan and pressed staff for more detail on administrative fees and competitive procurement of program services.

Deputy County Administrator Jonathan Brown opened the workshop explaining that the annual plan sets how the county spends federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funds. He told the board the draft reflects HUD allocations of approximately $6.5 million for CDBG (about a $60,000 decrease from the prior year), about $2.2 million for HOME (about $53,000 less) and roughly $580,000 for ESG (about a 2% increase), for a total near $9.315 million.

The numbers, Brown said, come from HUD’s allocation formulas and can shift as federal budgets are finalized. "Based on how the federal government allocates the dollars, that's why we recognize or see the decreases there," he said.

Commissioners focused on administration costs and procurement. Commissioner Maria Marino said the board should seek lower program-administration fees than the HUD-allowed 20% and suggested a target closer to 10%. "What you are hearing from the board right now is we would like to see program administration reined in," Marino said. Jonathan Brown and other staff explained HUD allows up to 20% for administrative costs and that unused administrative dollars are often rolled into program funds the next year.

Several commissioners asked whether the county could use competitive requests for proposals rather than continuing long-standing relationships with nonprofit providers. Commissioner Joel Flores and Commissioner Bobby Powell urged a competitive process to ensure funds go to the most effective organizations and to lower administrative fees so more dollars reach community programs. Staff said competitive solicitations are possible but noted timing constraints for the July submission window to HUD; staff said amendments can follow if competition changes allocations later in the year.

Staff described program design choices in draft allocations: 15% of CDBG for public services, roughly 17% for local municipal entitlement, a rotating "Special Area of Hope" allotment this year assigned to the Town of Lantana, and about 30% for county capital projects in unincorporated areas. Staff also said the department will present a detailed competitive-breakdown and any surplus-funding recommendations when the board reviews the final draft at its July 7 meeting; HUD’s submission deadline was identified as August 15.

The department said nonprofit public-service awards were scored through a selection committee; the top-scoring applicants included Legal Aid and other local service providers. Staff emphasized they will present recommended allocations and the detailed breakdown at the July meeting.

The board gave no final approval at the workshop; staff will return with the final Action Plan and a full breakdown of proposed grant recipients and administrative-budget details on July 7.