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Mayor Dixon to recuse as Franklin Affordable Housing's $1 million CDBG moves toward agreement
Summary
Franklin Affordable Housing representatives told the commission a $1 million CDBG is ready to advance once a published conflict‑of‑interest disclosure is recorded; Mayor Dixon confirmed he will recuse from discussions and decisions on the grant. The project would add six units in a planned second phase.
Sam Crocker, speaking on behalf of Franklin Affordable Housing, told the Franklin City Commission that the nonprofit’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application is ready to move forward but that a conflict‑of‑interest disclosure was required because Mayor Dixon serves both as mayor and as a board member of Franklin Affordable Housing.
"It is a $1 million community development block grant," Crocker said, and he asked the commission to note on the record that Mayor Dixon had already recused himself and would continue to do so for all discussion and decisions on the grant. Mayor Dixon confirmed on the record, "That is accurate." The disclosure was presented as the step needed to clear a procedural hold so the state can issue the grant agreement and the city can complete environmental reviews and other evidentiary steps required to release funds.
Project and funding details provided by staff and Franklin Affordable representatives indicate the planned second phase would add six homes: three one‑bedroom units, two two‑bedroom units and one three‑bedroom unit. Jolie Brown, identified in the meeting as executive director of Franklin Affordable, described the first phase on Orange Street (four homes) and said the new grant would help the nonprofit continue development at the Dixon Grove site while retaining accessibility features in future units.
Commissioners and staff framed the disclosure as a procedural matter, not a formal action; no vote was required. Crocker and staff said, once KEFA/state processes and environmental surveys are complete and the grant agreement is executed, the project can proceed to bidding and construction.
Why it matters: the CDBG grant would expand Franklin’s affordable housing supply and is tied to a local nonprofit distinct from the federal housing authority. The mayor’s recorded recusal is intended to eliminate any appearance of conflicted decision‑making as state and local officials finalize the grant agreement.
What’s next: staff said they will complete the evidentiary and environmental processes required by the grant agreement before funds are released.
