Jamestown Metropolis Council work session (January 9, 2023)
Jamestown Metropolis Council members are having some confusion over how a lot funding was authorized for the Senior Citizen Housing Enchancment Incentive Program versus the precise want.
Housing Committee Chair Marie Carrubba stated that it was reported by Metropolis Assessor Lisa Volpe that 302 purposes have been authorized for a complete of $1.878 million, however this system was solely allotted $1.5 million.
Whereas the Assessor’s Workplace inbuilt a $40,000 cushion to this system, Carrubba stated tasks have been coming in underneath funds which suggests any funds leftover might be used towards purposes that couldn’t be funded the primary time round.
Council member at Giant Jeff Russell stated he thought there was sufficient funding for this system to maintain all authorized purposes and requested the place the error was made, “We sat on this room on tape and we have been instructed that if this was authorized that this system could be absolutely funded. So now we’re going again and we’re telling residents and senior residents that, ‘Oh, sorry, we have been flawed on our numbers.’ So I suppose I’m asking, the place have been we flawed and who was flawed on these numbers?”
Council initially authorized the Senior Citizen Residence Enchancment Incentive program with $500,000 of American Rescue Plan funds in June 2022 with an extra $500,000 in ARP funds authorized in October. Council then authorized two resolutions totaling $500,000 in ARP monies at it November voting session.
Mayor Eddie Sundquist stated metropolis administration had proposed transferring $500,000 from the Residence Enchancment Incentive Program that additionally was created in June 2022. The latter would have successfully de-funded that program. Council opted to not go that route.
Finance Chair Kim Ecklund expressed concern that Council had been instructed all purposes that met the factors of this system might be funded if Council authorized an extra $1 million to the unique funding, “In my e mail from Lisa (Volpe), it states there are nonetheless 63 tasks left unfunded. And so, despite the fact that you’re telling them it’s $300,000, 63 tasks will not be $300,000, so I’ve a complete conglomerate of numbers that don’t make sense.”
Sundquist stated he would meet with Volpe and get again to Council by this previous Wednesday, however as of press time, Council members have been nonetheless ready for that replace.
