A draft one-year plan to allocate thousands of dollars in federal funding for various supportive services to residents was approved Tuesday by the El Centro City Council.
The draft plan describing how Community Development Block Grant funding is allocated is open for comments through April 19.
CDBG funds are an important revenue stream for agencies such as Catholic Charities, the El Centro Police Athletic League and the Imperial County Child Abuse Prevention Center, to name a few.
And while demand for services has either remained steady or increased, funding has been reduced every year.
This year for instance, the city first believed that some $759,000 was available to be split among various agencies and programs. But in recent weeks and as a result of the sequester, the city was informed that further funding cuts means the city has a little more than some $738,000.
Marcela Piedra, economic development director, said the city is making the proper adjustments.
Upon council’s request, she explained that some funding to Inland Fair Housing and Womanhaven, two nonprofits, were some of the areas impacted by the cuts.
So far, homebound seniors who get meals through Catholic Charities seemed to have been spared the impact.
Catholic Charities is still budgeted to receive some $10,000 in funds.
Meanwhile, El Centro PAL could receive $5,000 for a youth soccer program, while CAP Council might get some $5,800 for emergency shelter, meals and counseling for homeless women and children.
One of the big projects recommended by the city is field lighting for the Carlos Aguilar Park, said City Manager Ruben Duran before the meeting.
This project was also impacted by the funding cut, said Piedra, who explained the loss will be offset with city impact fees.
The draft plan will be adopted and submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development once the public review period ends.
If substantive comments are received, the draft plan will be brought back before the council for a public hearing.
Staff Writer Alejandro Dávila can be reached at 760-337-3445 or adavila@ivpressonline.com
Meeting glance
Here two things that happened in Tuesday’s City Council meeting
1 — The establishment of the Department of Community Development was approved by the City Council. This department comes from merging the Planning and Zoning Department, Building and Safety Division, Code Enforcement and the Bureau of Fire Prevention.
2 — The temporary use of an undeveloped parking lot along Ross Avenue until the completion of the new El Centro Regional Medical Center Medical Arts buildings was approved by the City Council.
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