Montoursville reviews FFY 2026 CDBG proposal; $84,721 projected for projects after administration costs

Larissa Hassinger, project coordinator at SEDA COG, presented the borough’s FFY 2026 Community Development Block Grant application at a public hearing June 1 and said the anticipated allocation was "$101,621.00 for FFY 2026 with $16,900.00 going towards project administration, leaving $84,721.00 for FFY 2026." Hassinger outlined eligible activities, national objectives, fair housing notices, the anti‑displacement plan, Section 504 outreach and Section 3 preference requirements, and an application schedule with project summaries due June 30 and finalization by Oct. 30, 2026.

Council Member Misty Emick proposed resurfacing the borough tennis courts as a slum‑and‑blight project; Hassinger said she would investigate whether resurfacing could qualify under the program. Borough Manager Donna M. Taggart cautioned that many infrastructure projects (for example, sidewalks) are often ineligible because affected homeowners do not meet low‑to‑moderate‑income (LMI) thresholds. Council President Dr. Tina Kline questioned whether duplicative federal paperwork discourages eligible residents from applying, noting that some required income information is already on file with federal agencies.

Hassinger told council the CDBG application schedule: project summaries are due June 30, council review will occur at the July 6 meeting, and the program’s local project list would be finalized by Oct. 30, 2026. Council members asked staff to research whether curb cuts and athletic‑facility resurfacing can be documented to meet the program’s LMI or slum‑and‑blight national objectives.

If the borough pursues a project, residents and property owners must provide the documentation CDBG requires to show eligibility. Hassinger and borough staff said they would report back to council with additional guidance and potential project options.