Presentation Transcript

1. Proposed CDBG Program PY 2015 Webinar: May 28, 2014

2. Overview

   Goal: Simplify Application Process for All Funds Remove Unnecessary Documentation Simplify Scoring Elements Reduce Review Time all applications scored and ranked, with in depth reviews only for applications within funding range Proposed CDBG Program PY 2015

3. Overview

   Community Development Fund: unify RRC Scoring and Improve State Scoring annual cycle to emphasize current needs Planning & Capacity Building Fund: increase allocation encourage water planning activities Proposed CDBG Program PY 2015

4. Overview

   Real Estate / Infrastructure TCF: revise monthly fund distribution revise application process and scoring elements Main Street / Downtown Revitalization: revise and integrate scoring Disaster Relief / Urgent Need Fund: Shorten contract period Community Enhancement Fund kick off program publish rules Proposed CDBG Program PY 2015

5. Community Development Fund

   Unify RRC Scoring and Improve State Scoring Annual Application Cycle Proposed CDBG Program PY 2015

6. Revised RRC Scoring

   Current (90% of total score) 24 different Regional Scoring Methods 147 total questions using various metrics and criteria Proposed CDBG Program PY 2015

7. Revised RRC Scoring

   Proposed (180 points) Standardized scoring questions Prioritized Activities Per Capita Income Poverty Rate Unemployment Water/Sewer Rates (per 5000 gal) Tax rates (property or ad valorem) Number of previous Grant Awards in a given period Match Commitment RRCs control weight of criteria but the methodologies available are fixed Proposed CDBG Program PY 2015

8. Revised RRC Scoring

   Examples: Proposed CDBG Program PY 2015

9. Revised RRC Scoring

   Advantages Uniform methodologies Purposeful Metrics Easily Verifiable Based on currently used RRC Methodologies Proposed CDBG Program PY 2015

10. Revised State Scoring

    Current (10% of total points) Overlap with RRC scoring in some regions Prioritized Activities Number of Previous Grant Awards in a given period 51% LMI beneficiaries Only unique criterion is past performance Based on 7 performance measures including timeliness of reporting, timely response to monitoring findings and past contract extensions Proposed CDBG Program PY 2015

11. Revised State Scoring

    Proposed (20 points) Project Priority and Readiness Environmental Review and/or Preliminary Engineering complete (costs remain eligible for matching funds) Community Planning - project supported by existing local comprehensive plan, including Planning & Capacity Building studies Prior Performance on CDBG grants Environmental Review cleared timely Closeouts Received timely Record of administrative sanctions (for grants awarded after 8/1/13) Proposed CDBG Program PY 2015

12. Revised State Scoring

    Advantages Eliminates redundant methodologies Refines past performance measures while preserving grantee accountability Leverages state scoring criteria to encourage long-term planning and favor shovel-ready applicants Proposed CDBG Program PY 2015

13. Annual CD Application Cycle

    Advantages Shortens time between application submittal and funding, which should reduce the number of amendments/modifications Allows more timely response to community needs as they arise Feasible with streamlined scoring process Proposed CDBG Program PY 2015

14. Texas Capital Fund

    Streamline Application Processes Revise Monthly Fund Distribution for RE/INF Revise Scoring for MSP / DRP Proposed CDBG Program PY 2015

15. TCF – INFRA/RE

    Proposed Single-Phase Application Process Limit Number of Applications per Grantee Infrastructure: 2 awards per Program Year Real Estate: Unlimited Increase Minimum Award Amount to $100,000 Align Program Year with CDBG Program Year (start Feb. 1) Proposed CDBG Program PY 2015

16. TCF – INFRA/RE

    Proposed Revise Scoring Focus on company and job-specific information Establish a Base Minimum Score Eliminate Maximum Scoring threshold Revise Monthly Fund Distribution Distribute 50/50 for each half of Program Year Cap monthly allocations at $1.5 million, until funds are depleted Proposed CDBG Program PY 2015

17. TCF – INFRA/RE

    Advantages More Timely Awards Promote projects that make a larger impact on the community Increased fund distribution throughout program year Proposed CDBG Program PY 2015

18. Downtown Revitalization/Main Street

    Proposed Revise allocation Current: $1.8 million for MSP/DRP Proposed: 18% of TCF allocation or no more than $1.8 million Integrate Scoring Categories for both programs community distress factors project specific factors additional criteria specific to Main Street applications Eliminate unnecessary application material Proposed CDBG Program PY 2015

19. DRP/ Main Street

    Advantages Eliminates redundant categories and identifies more relevant scoring criteria Promotes projects with greatest community impact Proposed CDBG Program PY 2015

20. Disaster Relief Fund

    Beginning with contracts funded in PY2015: “Disaster Relief/Urgent Need projects, due to the urgent nature of the projects, must be completed within one year from the start date of the contract agreement.” Proposed CDBG Program PY 2015

21. Community Enhancement Fund

    Proposed Funding & Award Amounts: Program to be funded through deobligated funds Awards Range from $100,000 to $350,000 Eligible projects: Public Health Related Facilities Workforce Development or Educational Facilities Safety or Emergency Facilities Renewable Energy Projects  Proposed CDBG Program PY 2015

22. Community Enhancement Fund

    Proposed Scoring: LMI Percentage of Applicant Partnerships Multi-purpose Facility Sustainability Match Commitment Proposed CDBG Program PY 2015

23. Contact Information

    Suzanne Barnard Director for CDBG Programs (512) 463-6612 Suzanne.Barnard@TexasAgriculture.gov Erica Garza Assistant Director for CDBG Programs (512) 936-7875 Erica.Garza@TexasAgriculture.gov Proposed CDBG Program PY 2015