"Always a struggle," said Konrad Hildebrandt, overseer for the disbursement of community development block grant funds in Orem, "fitting the many worthwhile projects into the available money."
However, following the recommendations offered by a citizens advisory committee, the City Council managed to do just that last week.Thirteen programs and services divided up the 15 percent of the total entitlement or $117,450 that Housing and Urban Development guidelines allow to be spent for public services.
Orem's share of the CDBG pie is actually $1,295,274 after the 1996-97 grant of $783,000 is added to program income of $302,274 and carryover funds of $210,000. By mandate, $217,054 must be spent on administration.
- Community Action Agency received $14,000 of $15,000 requested.
- The Parent Education Resource Center received $5,000 of $20,594 requested.
- The Low Income Recreation Program providing recreational opportunities through free annual passes to the fitness center and various programs received $19,000 of a $30,000 request.
- The Gathering Place, which provides substance-abuse treatment, received $11,450 of a $20,000 request.
- The Family Support and Treatment Center, which provides therapeutic intervention to families and individuals at risk, received $9,000 of a $25,000 request.
- Recreation for All Handicapped received $12,000 of a request for $18,000.
- Kids on the Move Early Intervention received $11,000 of a request for $12,000.
- The Schoolsite Wellness Program received $5,000, their total request.
- The Children's Justice Center received $20,000 of a $25,000 request.
- The Utah Crisis Line Program received $5,000, their total request.
- The Fire Education/Smoke detector program received $1,000 of $3,000 sought.
- Family Literacy/Project Read received $5,000 of a $44,800 request.
Earlier, the Family Literacy/
Project Read request had not been funded.
There were also some questions over whether the city should continue to subsidize Orem Junior High School for improvements that perhaps ought to come from Alpine School District instead. Councilwoman Judy Bell particularly cited concerns over fairness.
It was pointed out that only Orem Junior High qualifies and has applied for the CDBG funds. Councilman Timothy Christensen along with the mayor, Stella Welsh, and Councilman Steve Heinz said when the city can cooperate in putting facilities in place for low- and moderate-income citizens, they fully support the effort.
Councilman Chris Yandow voted against the CDBG recommendations, saying he wants to register a protest against the process itself. "I cannot support, in principle, that the government is giving us back money if we jump through the right hoops. The process is flawed," he said.
Councilman Stephen Sandstrom said the city would be foolish not to take advantage of a chance to get some tax revenue back.