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consultant is assured of administering the project if funded. If <br />the application receives funding, the consultant would get a <br />percentage of the project cost, ranging from 5% to 8% for <br />administering the project. If the project does not get funded, <br />there would be no cost to the county for the consultant having <br />prepared the application. <br />There are several advantages _to using a consultant for grant <br />preparation and administration. First, there is the program <br />knowledge that the consultant would bring to the project. Not only <br />might this help in getting the grant application approved, but it <br />would eliminate the need for existing staff to spend considerable <br />time reviewing program requirements. Second, it would eliminate <br />the need for the county to hire another staff person. Finally, the <br />cost can be paid mostly from grant funds. <br />ALTERNATIVES <br />As structured, the deadline for submitting CDBG neighborhood <br />revitalization grant applications is March, 1995. If a consultant <br />is to be used, the consultant selection.process must begin almost <br />immediately. In addition, a public hearing must be held, and <br />detailed neighborhood information must be collected. <br />The Board of County Commissioners has three alternatives regarding <br />this matter. These alternatives are: <br />1. Not to apply for the CDBG funds <br />2. Direct staff (public works and/or community development <br />staff) to prepare a CDBG application and administer the <br />grant if approved <br />3. Authorize staff (public. works and/or community <br />development staff) to prepare a request for proposal <br />(RFP) to hire a consultant to prepare a CDBG application <br />and administer the grant. <br />Since this is a competitive process and the county has not <br />previously receieved funding, staff supports the third alternative. <br />A consultant, specialized in preparing CDBG applications and <br />administering of CDBG projects, would enhance the county's chance <br />of receiving the grant. By using a consultant, the county would <br />incur no cost if the application is not approved. <br />RECOMMENDATION <br />Staff recommends that the Board of County Commissioners authorize <br />the public works and community development staff to apply for a <br />CDBG neighborhood revitalization grant for the Colored School and <br />Whitfield Subdivisions target area. Staff also recommends that the <br />Board authorize staff to initiate the process to select a <br />consultant to prepare the CDBG application and administer the <br />grant. Finally, staff recommends that the Board commit budgeted <br />petition paving funds to be used as a match for the grant. <br />11 <br />December 20, 1994 BOOK F'AQ 13 <br />