Portage County staff recommend $398,000 in CDBG projects including ADA walkways, health center renovation and sewer tie-in

Neighborhood Development Services staff told the Portage County Board of Commissioners that the county was awarded $630,000 in CDBG allocation funds but only $398,000 may be programmed for projects after a Streetsboro set-aside ($150,000), administration ($72,000) and a $10,000 fair-housing planning line.

Lisa and Jackie (Neighborhood Development Services presenters) presented the allocation spreadsheet and the scoring that led the steering committee to recommend three projects. The committee recommended a $20,000 fair-housing analysis (a required planning study that does not count against the three-project limit), $130,300 to the village of Hiram for ADA walkways and parking (rounded to state rules), $100,000 to Access Point Community Health Centers to renovate a second floor and bring health services into Portage County, and a partial commitment toward a Rootstown sewer tie-in project to avoid leaving state funds unspent.

Why it matters: The recommended projects target accessibility (ADA), expanded local health services and infrastructure for low- and moderate-income (LMI) households. Staff told the board the Rootstown tie-in would help about 20 homes, most of which had been surveyed and showed LMI qualification; the recommendation was designed to use available funds so the county does not forfeit award dollars to the state.

Commissioners asked for clarification about rounding rules, project scoring and why only three projects may be funded under the allocation round. Staff explained state rules limit the number of projects in this allocation cycle; administration and set-asides reduced the programmatic amount to $398,000 and the steering committee prioritized projects by score. Staff noted Manaway Restoration Society’s application was ineligible due to government use of the building, and Nelson and Freedom townships did not score high enough to receive awards in this round.

The board collected the steering committee’s recommendation; staff noted that while the committee makes recommendations, the board controls the final decisions and could reallocate within the $398,000. Next steps include board action on formal awards and ensuring each funded project meets state eligibility and LMI requirements.