Public meeting tomorrow: City of Lake Worth Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program.

First, whilst on the topic of funding for public projects here in the City of Lake Worth click on this link to find out what is on the City Commission’s “Wish List” for the proceeds from the County’s ¢1 sales tax increase.

Remember: This County sales tax money is to fund infrastructure projects, leverage infrastructure projects, and complete infrastructure projects.

Please note the word “infrastructure”.

The rule for CDBG funding from the County is a project has to be “shovel ready” construction!

Learn about the definition of ‘shovel ready’ below. For example, if one is hoping to use the County ¢1 sales tax proceeds and/or CDBG funding to purchase trees and vegetation to line the City’s streets, you are out of luck. You need to find funding for that project elsewhere.

The news about the upcoming CDBG public meeting is below courtesy of this week’s Lake Worth Herald.

“Please join the City of Lake Worth for a Public Meeting to discuss the upcoming Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for
Fiscal Year 2018–2019.”
 
Details about this public meeting:

During this meeting City staff will describe newly defined eligible uses of CDBG funds and solicit public input on how these funds should be used.

• Date: Monday, January 8, 2018
• Time: 5:00 p.m.
• Location: City Hall Conference Room, City Hall, 7 N. Dixie Hwy.

The actual allocation of CDBG funding for Fiscal Year 2018–2019 has not yet been announced. It is estimated that it will comparable to the CDBG allocation of $291,846 that the City received for Fiscal Year 2017–2018.
     Palm Beach County is accepting applications for only CDBG eligible capital improvements projects. Accordingly, the City will be required to submit 3 year CDBG Capital Project Plan that identifies requests for funding on projects that will expend the funds within the year they are awarded.
     Construction projects will only be considered for recommendation if it is “shovel ready.” The County defines “shovel ready” as:

     1. Applicant has site control.
     2. Necessary zoning and development approvals are in place.
     3. For projects where you are only seeking funding for construction, the design must be complete no later than the October 1st start of the fiscal year for which CDBG funding is sought.
     4. All other funds necessary to complete the project are in place no later than the October 1st start of the fiscal year for which funding is being sought.

Please note!

Prior to attending this public meeting about CDBG funding for a project that is of interest to you do your homework ahead of time!

Please reread what “shovel ready” means in list 1–4 above. If your idea doesn’t meet all 4 requirements you need to find funding elsewhere such as contacting your elected officials for other funding ideas, seeking grants, or reaching out to philanthropic organizations.