No CDBG funds (We can get curb and gutter for 800 South without Federal handouts)
Here are my reasons for opposing the “CDBG Interlocal Cooperation Agreement with Utah County” (For more information see http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/communitydevelopment/programs/).
Earmarks in congress corrupt the appropriations process. The same is true for local projects that we get someone else to pay for. Each project should stand on its own merits not whether or not we can get “free” money from the Feds to pay for it. The real value of projects is obscured when the Feds tax people in Alpine to pay for manure management research in Ames, Iowa (http://www.cagw.org/reports/pig-book/2009/oinkers.html), tattoo removal in California, energy efficient street lamps in Detroit, Michigan or a “Bridge to Nowhere” in Alaska. If manure management is important then the people in Ames can pay for it. And we should not be asking the people in Iowa, California, Michigan, and Alaska to pay for our curb and gutter. (This doesn’t even take into account the massive bureaucratic overhead costs inherent in moving money all the way to D.C. and then back out to the communities.) If it is important for Alpine then we can pay for it ourselves.
Also, nowhere in the U.S. Constitution is the Federal government given the right to appropriate money for local projects (see http://www.usconstitution.net/xconst_A1Sec8.html). We are in ever greater danger in our country because we no longer feel constrained by the rule of law. That respect for the rule of law needs to start at the local level. If we want the federal government to start following the rule of law we need to stop encouraging them to subvert the law. We need them to know that we can’t be bribed with our own tax dollars.
Last night I didn’t vote against curb and gutter on 800 South, which was the impression that some got. I didn’t even know that this money was earmarked for that project. I didn’t find out until after the meeting was over. But it wouldn’t have mattered. I would still have voted against looking for a hand out from the Federal Government. I plan on getting the curb and gutter into our budget without asking the U.S. taxpayer, or current or future, to pay for it. It’s time for every city, county and state to do the same.
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March 31st, 2010 at 10:45 pm
I appreciate you taking the time to explain your logic behind the issue. Thanks for your service!
April 1st, 2010 at 3:30 pm
I got the following from our city manager.
“The Interlocal Agreement is not an application for funds to improve 800 South. I mentioned 800 South improvements as an example of the type of projects that could be funded with CDBG funds. 800 South is a street that needs curb, gutter, sidewalk and paving and City Staff has discussed how to fund the improvements and CDBG is a possible funding source. I think it sounded like the City was applying for CDBG Funds for the 800 improvements as part of the Interlocal Agreement, which is not the case.”
Also –
“I talked to Mountainland Association of Governments (MAG) and asked them if we could have more time to reconsider the Interlocal Agreement and they said yes we could have more time. The Interlocal Agreement will be on the April 13, 2010 City Council Agenda.”
April 5th, 2010 at 4:45 pm
When a citizen feels that “Project X” is important they will be upset when someone tells them–
“This money was for Project X. They turned down the money. Therefore there will be no Project X.”
Just because we don’t get the Federal Government to pay for a project doesn’t mean that we can’t do the project. If it is important then we should do it whether or not we can get someone else to pay for it.
For example, if a citizen feels that getting curb and gutter on 800 South is important then Alpine needs to pay for curb and gutter on 800 South.
There was confusion about what this agreement would mean to Alpine. Even if we signed the agreement it is unlikely that HUD money would ever make it to Alpine. Even if Alpine could get HUD money to pay $5 million in roads, parks and recreation I would oppose it. It’s not right.
April 12th, 2010 at 2:33 pm
If you feel strongly about this issue then please join us on April 13 for the Alpine City Council. We will be revisiting the agreement.
April 12th, 2010 at 2:42 pm
To read the agreement download http://alpinecity.org/Agendas_and_minutes/e-packet.pdf.
It is agenda item C and the information begins on page 31 of the PDF. Notice on page 32 that it says “In order to become an Urban County all cities/towns need to approve the Utah County Interlocal Cooperation Agreement.”