Oskaloosa City Council votes to downsize Housing Department Budget
Oskaloosa Iowa City Council Chambers
Oskaloosa, Iowa- The Oskaloosa City Council voted to reduce the city’s Housing Department general fund subsidy from $115,000 to $13,000 this evening. Due to the reduction of the general fund subsidy, the housing budget will be reduced by approximately $100,000. According to information in the the City Council Agenda Packet, the city housing department employee force will be reduced from two full time employees, to one part time employee, and the reduction of office hours for the housing department.
At the beginning of the meeting, several residents got up to speak out against the proposal. One of those residents was Michael Collins, a member of the Oskaloosa Municipal Housing Agency. “To cut the administrative costs associated with the section 8 program, it looks impressive on paper, but I think that it’s really important to think about what the costs might be in the long term.” Several other residents spoke including Judy Corbet, manager of the Southern Hills Apartment. Corbet read a letter from her company. “The reduction in staff support and necessary inspections priority would greatly affect those in need of the most assistance with their housing choices.” The letter went on to say “We would prefer cuts were found in other areas to keep the necessary paperwork, inspection, and support service functions in a low area.”
When this item came up on the agenda, City Manager Michael Schrock was quick to speak. Schrock stated that the funding in question was “controlled by the federal government.” Schrock also read a statement he was trying to get to the public. “The Housing Department offers two distinct programs. One is the section 8 HUD program and two, the Oskaloosa Housing Trust Fund. Due to changes in the funding levels, a push to regionalise these programs and a decrease in activity, specifically on the Oskaloosa Housing Trust Fund [inaudible], the city is faced with a financial dilemma of funding programs that were once self sufficient and required little to no Oskaloosa tax dollars to operate or the council reduce the expenditures to a level where they become more self sufficient. It is without a doubt, a tough policy choice for the city council but in past discussions, the city council has opted to minimize [inaudible] for programs that are expected to operate self sufficiently.”
The statement also said ” the sub-committee is recommending the decrease in staffing that will minimize the impact on the local tax payers, yet continue to offer the section 8 HUD program and the Oskaloosa Housing Trust Fund Program. By reducing one staff member and changing one to part time, Section 8 HUD can now operate without [inaudible] from the city general fund but it does require reduce staff.”
City Council Member Doug Yates was also quick to speak. Yates wanted to emphasize that the city was not choosing to not help certain people. “We are not choosing to help less people nor help less affected.” Yates also went on to say “our view is still to help the individuals that need the assistance, or families that need the assistance, with the appropriate staff level.” After a little bit more of discussion, the council voted 6-0 to downsize the Housing Department Budget. In other action, the city council:
- Approved, on a 4-2 vote with council members Yates and Jimenez voting No, an ordinance to create offenses for nuisance parties.
- Received a quarterly report from MCRF Executive Director, Sherry Vavra.
- Approved service agreements with Dickinson Company in the amount of $33,095 and with Racom Critical Communications in the amount of $1,636 to upgrade the city’s storm siren system
- Approved a request to waive the preliminary plat and approve a resolution for the final plat of the Hope Subdivision
The next meeting of the Oskaloosa City Council will be on August 1st at 6:30 PM in the City Council Chambers
EDITORS NOTE: This article includes updates in the beginning paragraph relating to the general subsidy provided by the city
