Independence Township will receive about 10 percent less money to work with this year in the 2006-07 Community Development Block Grant budget than last ? however, the amount is only a suggestion at this time.
According to Rita Burdick, coordinator for the grant monies, the township received $81,681 last year and only $73,513 for the current year.
In a memo to the township board, Burdick explained the possibility of some money is better than none: ‘Initially, President Bush had not included CDBG monies in his 2006 budget. With support from congressmen, media events and lobbying across the nation, we now have a suggested appropriation??
Burdick said she doesn’t expect to hear a final dollar amount until June or July of 2006. Still, municipalities are required to budget the funds now for the application process.
‘I think we were ingenious with our allocation to the new senior center,? said Burdick. ‘We have three years to spend the money and it will be up and running hopefully by then, so we wanted to use as much as possible for the new center.?
The budget provides for 45 percent public services, 45 percent senior center and 10 percent emergency rehab.
The 45 percent public services includes:
? Transportation for camp ? $4,500
? Abused spouses and children ? $5,000
? Summer camp ? $4,500
? Social/recreational services for disabled adults/seniors
? Senior services (outreach wages) ? $10,000
? Library materials for special needs ? $6,580.
Some of the items included in the senior center are fitness equipment, multi-line telephone and answering system, presentation equipment, computer lab, landscaping and water/sewer tap-in fees.
‘I should have the application ready to go by December,? said Burdick, ‘and hopefully we’ll hear by June or July.?