Perry City Council members held a brief discussion Monday
concerning a request from the Perry Volunteer Outreach for the city to provide
funding for roof repairs.
A memo from City Manager Lee Gilmour, who was absent from
the meeting, states, “PVO has staff but has no funding for installing metal
roofs on the homes of persons unable to afford any improvements.”
Brenda King, the director of administration, told council
members that the funding for the request, if approved, would come from the
Hazard Mitigating Fund. The fund currently has a balance of $21,624, and an
outstanding balance of $31,921, which the Habitat for Humanity is paying back
on a quarterly basis.
Gilmour suggested in the memo that council members approve
the project subject to a mutual agreement contract.
King provided a list of factors that should be considered.
Some of the factors include “funds provided as a grant, which would eventually
deplete the available funds,” “property owner is required to make application for
funds; however, funds could be limited to owner occupied properties only,”
“assistance provided to low to moderate income persons,” and “require repayment
agreement for amounts in excess of $5,000.”
She told council that the roof repairs could cost around
$2,000 per repair, to which Councilman Randall Walker said that would mean only
10 houses could be repaired with the city’s funds.
Council members had several questions concerning the
request, such as will the funding only go to repair roofs and what happens if
the homeowner were to sell the house after the city funds the repairs.
King said she would provide council with the answers to
their questions. The council took no action.
HHJ News
