Administration outlines central grants unit as city readies HUD lead-hazard application

City administration told the Jackson City Council it is centralizing grant administration to improve oversight and compliance after past audit findings and federal concerns.

CAO Peter Taberson said the mayor’s grants team, led by Sandra Bell, is consolidating applications and creating checks and balances so the originating department, grants team and finance each review a grant. Sandra Bell described a seven-point checklist and a central repository that will track applications, matches and reporting deadlines. Bell told council staff are tracking about a dozen grant opportunities ranging from $1,000 to $20 million.

Council approved an order authorizing submission of a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development lead hazard reduction capacity-building grant application; the motion passed unanimously. Members asked for memos to council describing active grants and reassurances about compliance. Administration said compliance work includes programmatic and fiscal reporting and that staff are working to bring all existing grants under centralized oversight.

The administration acknowledged past issues — including returned ARPA funds — and said the goal of the centralized unit is to prevent future audit findings and to ensure matches are properly budgeted. The grants director named two staff present for the briefing: Dr. Lakeika Smith (grant writer) and Mandy Adams (compliance). Council asked for continuing updates and written briefings.