From: Nelsonself@aol.com <Nelsonself@aol.com>
Subject: Re: HUD-Funded Programs and Administrative Costs
To: chrisamburgey@yahoo.com
Cc: dschiavone1@cinci.rr.com, Paul@PaulRenwick.com, amarconi@cinci.rr.com
Date: Sunday, July 27, 2008, 1:34 PM

This past Thursday we (Administrative Assistant to the Planning Director and me) were directed to meet with the suddenly recently retired Community Revitalization Director, her senior administrative assistant and a representative from the Finance Department on the HUD-funded programs administrative budget.

 

Both of us explained that we're already spending a dangerously high amount for administrative purposes (50 cents+/- of each HUD dollar)!

 

A senior Finance Department staff member recently told us that they don't know where to find money to fund the Community Revitalization Director's new position.  With the salary increase that senior City of Middletown staff is giving her, they need more than $100,000 for salary and fringe benefits.  Russ said that Judy plans to use some Transit Authority or Public Works Department funds to pay for this new department head.  The rest would presumably come from CDBG and Section 8??

 

I am treading dangerously thin ice by bringing these matters to your attention, however, I am very concerned by what is going on.  Some aspects of this reorganization plan seem very ill-conceived.  Others employed by the City feel the same way.

 

I believe that HUD will intervene if the above actions are taken.  We already need to trim administrative costs.  I suggested not filling the vacant Housing Code Specialist position as a means of reducing administrative costs.  The new department head told us that Code Enforcement is a very high priority of senior City of Middletown staff and her.  They will be interviewing candidates for that position within the next week or two.  I was excluded from this process as my roles and responsibilities are being diminished.

 

I am told that there exists HUD and General Fund resources to have one clerical and three field inspector positions.  Each field inspector would handle both weeds/trash and code enforcement for one-third of the city limits.  The clerical person would handle their secretarial/administrative needs.  One field inspector from General Fund plus two field inspectors and one staff secretary.

 

We must avoid spending so much on administration that there's not too much left to help low- to moderate-income home owners with minor to major housing rehabilitation needs.  They've already talked about eliminating the Community Improvement Program that Berachah Baptist Church has successfully participated in to rehab homes, renovate parks, etc.  We've provided $50,000 in CDBG funds (materials only) that has leveraged about $75,000 in donated labor from the church members and other volunteers.  It would be sad to eliminate that to further expand the payroll.