Local foundation seeks CDBG funds to pave Apache and Comanche avenues in Osino

Representatives of the Apache and Comanche Avenues Improvement Foundation called into the meeting to ask how to apply for CDBG funding for road paving in the Osino northeast area. “so basically, we're hoping that we can get these fir grama roads, which are like a main thoroughfare for the Osino, Northeast area,” the caller said during public discussion.

County grants staff (S1) responded that the area shown on the HUD map had a low-to-moderate income percentage of about 12.70% and that the county’s overall LMI average is 37.60%, emphasizing that tract-level eligibility can differ from county averages. Stearman recommended coordinating with CDBG administrators and said an income survey can sometimes be used to document a higher tract-level LMI if appropriate for the proposed project’s scope.

The callers said they had discussed the idea with a local superintendent (identified in the call as Dennis Price), who offered to waive permit fees if the project met permitting and funding requirements. County staff advised the group to pursue engineering plans and noted that larger infrastructure projects typically require preliminary engineering reports as part of an application.

Stearman offered to follow up by email and to connect the foundation with GOED staff and application materials on the GOED CDBG webpage. The county did not make any commitments of funding during the meeting; staff said they will work with interested sponsors and that any final decision would follow the competitive review and state approval process.