Butler County is moving forward with a program to administer federal funds that benefit low to moderate income communities after Butler City Council declined to join the program.
After hearing from Butler County Chief of Economic Development Mark Gordon, Butler City Council decided to opt out of the Butler County Urban County CDBG program by a vote of 4 to 1.
According to Gordon, Butler County was informed last week that it had met the population requirement of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development but all 57 municipalities within the county only have until this Tuesday (9/8) to opt into the program.
Several City Council members including Mayor Bob Dandoy expressed concern about the necessity for a quick decision as well as forgoing the guaranteed approximately $300,000 CDBG funding the city receives annually.
“It’s been working very well. And I’m hesitant to uproot it and not do it,” Dandoy said in regards to the current CDBG funding the City receives.
Council will have another opportunity to join with the county and the $1.4 million they expect to receive annually in three years when the next grant cycle opens for this program.
