Board narrows public-services priorities for next RFA, adds senior services and short-term subsistence payments

Staff asked the board which public-services priority areas to solicit in the next request-for-applications cycle and presented options for review frequency. A poll of board members had favored reviewing all priority areas every three years, with annual reviews for additional categories; at the meeting the board moved to continue annual review of priority areas to preserve flexibility.

On targeted program priorities, staff emphasized that some activities were already highlighted based on the community needs assessment and recommended soliciting those specific areas. Staff also proposed adding a new short-term rental/utility assistance option called "subsistence payments" to provide up to three months' emergency support to prevent eviction or utility shutoff.

Tracy Coleman moved and the board approved a motion to solicit the previously highlighted priority activities for the next cycle and to include senior services in that solicitation. Coleman and other members also supported including the proposed subsistence payments (three months of rental/utility assistance) as an eligible activity for the coming RFA.

Rebecca Royce explained staff will continue to publish application materials and the community needs assessment and will make the data available to board members when they evaluate priority choices in future cycles.