City officials mull: Where to spend surplus money?

Published 11:02 am Wednesday, May 18, 2016

It has to be a nice prospect for City leaders to ponder – what to do with $430,000 in federal dollars left from cancelled or postponed projects from previous years.

City officials anticipate the unused Community Development Block Grant funds that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) originally provided will be available for projects consistent with federal regulations and objectives and policies of the Auburn Consolidated Housing and Community Development Plan.

Before approving a resolution to roll the money over to present City use Monday evening, members of the Auburn City Council talked about some of the possibilities, which include pre-construction and planning for the Auburn Youth Resources’ Arcadia House, downtown business façade improvements and rehabilitation of a City-owned transitional house.

“This resolution will allow us to move forward $430,000 so that we can do some major projects in relationship to renovating facilities and some housing for homeless children,” said Councilmember Largo Wales shortly before the vote.

The funds must be used within this calendar year, but City officials say there is likely to be some leeway as the funds have become available comparatively late in the calendar year.

HUD and the City’s own Consolidated Plan require a substantial amendment to reallocate funds from cancelled or postponed projects.