Prescott CDBG advisory panel sets Jan. 30 deadline, tightens presentation and application guidance

The Prescott City Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Citizens Advisory Committee on Jan. 21 reviewed the 2026 application timeline and clarified how the panel will evaluate proposals ahead of funding recommendations to City Council.

Michael McInnis of the Community Development Department told the committee that "as of January 21, we are in the application period, which started December 1, and it goes through next Friday, January 30, 5PM," and that he would screen submissions for CDBG national-objective eligibility before forwarding candidates to the committee. He said presentations for applicants are scheduled at the February meeting and are "not mandatory, but they have the option and it's highly encouraged that they come and present to the committee." The committee is slated to vote on funding recommendations in March and deliver its recommendations to City Council in June.

Committee members pressed staff to standardize applicant materials and presentations. Several members urged shorter, timed presentations and consistent templates for budgets and financial disclosures so reviewers can compare requests. "If they don't comply with what we asked for and it's not a complete application, it would be deemed nonresponsive," one member said, advocating stricter screening. McInnis said audited financial statements and budget templates are typically collected and he can attach a standardized budget spreadsheet to the application packet.

The committee also discussed eligibility and scope. McInnis noted CDBG can support some for-profit activities that meet national objectives — for example, affordable-housing developers — but that most Prescott awards historically go to nonprofit organizations. Members asked applicants to include projected completion timelines and contingency plans in applications so the committee can better assess repeat requests for supplemental funding.

On procedure, members agreed to add a question about whether applicants will accept partial awards and to explore timing controls at presentations (suggestions included a visible timer or volunteer timekeeper) to keep the February session efficient.

The committee approved the Nov. 19, 2025 meeting minutes with an amendment to record discussion about a platform for nonprofits to post immediate needs; Jim Howell moved to approve with Ginger Cutting's modification and Debbie Savoini seconded. Chair called for a hand vote and the motion passed.

Next steps: applications close Jan. 30; McInnis will provide printed application binders by Feb. 11; applicant presentations are set for the Feb. 18 CAC meeting; the ranking subcommittee meets Mar. 4 and the committee will finalize recommendations Mar. 18.