The city of Auburn needs feedback on how to use federal funds to assist its low to moderate-income residents.

City employees are currently in the process of creating the 2009-2010 action plan for the Community Development Block Grant program.

Over the next week, program organizers will hold community meetings to discuss how the funds for the program should be allocated.

During the meetings, officials will give some information about the CDBG program and its budget priorities before taking comments from citizens. Some of the topics that could be discussed are distressed neighborhoods, low-income services, child care, housing and infrastructure.

The first of four was held Oct. 15 at the Boyle Senior Center. The information gathered at the meetings will be considered when more than $1 million is allocated for various local programs, said Crystal Purcell, program director for the city's Planning and Economic Development department.

“We take what we heard and try to relate it directly to our services,” Purcell said.

Funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, CDBG administers and contributes to a variety of programs and services for the community's undeserved population. It provides programming for seniors, youth counseling services, child care and youth programs.

CDBG funds are also used for home repair, water, sewer, sidewalks and curbs.

While much of the money goes toward the same programs from year to year, it is important to maintain a connection to the communities they serve, Purcell said.

“We try and really be in contact with the areas where people might be benefiting CDBG money directly,” she said.

After this week of meetings, city officials will hold a public hearing Nov. 12 at Memorial City Hall on CDBG priorities

According to city Planning Director Jennifer Haines, HUD only requires the city to hold the official public hearings. But the community meetings help to make sure the program receives as much public information as possible, she said.

“It's important that (residents) tell us when these things are needed,” Haines said.

Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net.