Public input sought on funding
San Jacinto News- Times - December 2009

LIVINGSTON -- The Board of Directors of the Deep East Texas Council of Governments (DETCOG) held a public hearing during its monthly meeting Monday in Livingston. The purpose of the hearing was to discuss the process the council of governments would be following in developing its method of distribution (MOD) for $208,000,000 from the second round of Hurricane Ike Recovery programs. DETCOG Executive Director, Walter Diggles, reviewed the recent rejection, by HUD, of the state’s distribution plan for the second round of funds. Several of their objections pertained to a lack of detail in how the money would be distributed in the regions effected most by Hurricane Ike. The state’s plan was also deemed lacking in details of the public’s participation in developing those plans. Texas has been given 45 days to respond to HUD’s rejection. Much of the work to be done in response to HUD’s objections falls to the four main councils of government, including DETCOG, whose members will be able to apply for the funds. Diggles told those gathered that DETCOG had until December 1st to develop a written plan detailing how it will hold, and publicize, a series of at least four public hearings across the council’s twelve counties. He also outlined the type of parameters; population, low to moderate income households, people living in poverty and unemployment rates - that HUD would accept in considering how to divide the funding. One obstacle the cities and counties face in applying for the funds will be the state’s enforcement of HUD’s requirement that a minimum of 51% of the funds go to projects that benefit households that fall into its definition of having low to moderate incomes. Given the tight deadlines for developing DETCOG’s Method of Distribution in time for the state to use it in their response to HUD, Diggles said that he expected to call a special board meeting for the MOD’s final board review and approval. Because of the Christmas Holidays, DETCOG’s next regular board meeting is scheduled for January 28, 2010.