0581 RESOLUTION NO, 581 ( #2 - 05)
A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THAT FEDERAL GOVERNMENT LEADERS GIVE
RECONSIDERATION TO PRESIDENT BUSH'S PROPOSED MASSIVE REDUCTIONS IN
FEDERAL FUNDING LEVELS FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS;
AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
WHEREAS, the City of Jacksonville's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program
creates jobs, provides assistance in the construction of affordable housing and repairs of critical
infrastructure facilities, aids in rehabilitation of lower income housing areas, and has the potential
to leverage new private investment in disadvantaged socio- economic areas;
WHEREAS, in 2004, nationwide CDBG supported the creation of over 90,000 jobs, assisted
11,000 households move into private home ownership, rehabilitated 19,000 affordable rental units
and 112,000 single - family homes, and built or repaired over 38,000 infrastructure projects.
Historically, CDBG has generated Three private sector dollars ($3.00) for every One Dollar ($1.00)
of public investment funds.
WHEREAS, since 1999, CDBG funds have provided assistance in the City of Jacksonville for
One Hundred Twenty-five (125) rehabilitation projects, including sewer replacement/repair,
emergency home repairs, wheelchair ramps, and general household repairs. Jacksonville's CDBG
program has also funded Thirty -five (35) house painting project and over Five Thousand (5,000)
hours of service for volunteer programs, including Small Business Start-up, Care with Colors, Self -
help Fix Up, and the Elderly /Disabled yard care /minor repairs program. CDGB funds have also
been used to develop a community park, replace drainage services in older neighborhoods, install
sidewalk/curb /gutters in low to moderate income areas, and install /replace new water and sewer
service lines and widen streets in low to moderate income areas throughout the community; and,
WHEREAS, President Bush's proposed budget recommends consolidating over Eighteen
(18) different programs, including CDBG, into a new "Strengthening America's Communities
Initiative ". As proposed, "Strengthening America's Communities Initiative" will provide only a
fraction of current funding for CDBG. This reduction would place dramatic limits on access to and
eligibility for funding through CDBG programs and would, in essence, eliminate or severally limit
CDBG programs throughout America, creating substantial losses to communities and citizens
throughout the nation.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS, THAT:
SECTION ONE: The City Council hereby expresses its support of the Community
Development Block Grant (CDBG) programs throughout America and agrees that it would be in the
best interest of the citizens of America and the City of Jacksonville for funding of CDBG programs
to be continued as a separate federally funded program.
SECTION TWO: The Mayor and City Clerk and /or designated representative(s) is /are
hereby authorized and directed to forward this Resolution to President Bush and distinguished
members of the United States Congress to voice the Council's request that CDBG funds be
maintained as a separate program providing direct and flexible funding to communities throughout
America.
SECTION THREE: All Resolutions or parts of Resolutions in conflict herewith are hereby
repealed to the extent of said conflict.
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RESOLUTION NO. 581 ( #2 - 05)
PAGE TWO
APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS H DAY OF APRIL, 2005.
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MAYOR TOMMY SW S M
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