The Warren County Housing Authority's board of directors discussed financial matters at its meeting Tuesday.
Executive Director Tonya Mitchell-Weston notified the board that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is "getting a jump on" subsidy calculations for fiscal year 2013. Mitchell-Weston said she has not heard any discussion yet of continuing the department's funding recapture program which has been in effect through 2012.
Under the recapture program, authorities with high capital reserves were provided less subsidy funding and forced to utilize their reserve funds instead.
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A display on Miller Hill Road in Farmington Township promotes Warren County Fair.
"We should receive our full subsidy," Mitchell-Weston said.
Authority Treasurer Stacey Kranak noted the authority will begin utilizing reserve funds from savings accounts at First Niagara Bank. The need to fund programs from the reserves, and thereby lower retained funding in place of HUD subsidies, is the goal of the ongoing recapture program.
"I think we're fine as far as having plenty of funding," Kranak said. "(Reserves will) last us until the end of the year and into next year if needed."
Kranak also announced the authority's audit was completed. According to Kranak, the audit produced three minor manager findings and no regular findings. Kranak said a letter addressing the management findings has been sent.
Mitchell-Weston said the HUD field office in Pittsburgh has asked the authority to provide a formal request to take a number of units at the Riverview Terrace site offline. The office is advising the request be sent soon as upcoming rules changes could require the request be sent to HUD headquarters, a change that could delay approval. The authority plans to use the space at Riverview Terrace for offices and resident services.
Board members also discussed complaints about the door access system at Conewango Towers. Due to problems arising when the doors were left unlocked, the building's entrance doors are locked at all times and visitors must be let in by ringing a resident or the building's office. Consulting engineers and architects are to provide suggestions on an alternate system around the end of the July.
"The board recognizes there is a problem here," Authority Chairman Mike Lewis said. "We are taking steps to resolve it. I'm not willing to open the doors yet and ask for problems."
A possible access card system is being discussed.