Commissioners: More review of HRA needed

Washington County commissioners said they want an in-depth discussion with the county’s Housing and Redevelopment Authority about its mission.

The County Board request came today after HRA officials outlined the agency’s 2010 budget, including $3.3 million in proposed county property tax revenue.

That levy – and a tight county budget – prompted some commissioners, led by Lisa Weik of Woodbury, to suggest last month that the county consider cutting off its financial support of the housing agency.

County tax revenue makes up one-fifth of the HRA’s annual budget.

HRA Executive Director Barb Dacy went before the County Board this morning with an overview of her agency’s operations and finances.

The HRA owns and manages affordable housing units, provides mortgage foreclosure prevention programs and other housing assistance.

Commissioners said they are pleased with the HRA’s management, but some have questioned whether it should receive tax dollars.

“I still would ask for that conversation,” Weik said today, repeating her call last month to phase out the county HRA property tax levy.

Some commissioners also raised concerns about the potential for overlap with city housing agencies, such as Woodbury’s Housing and Redevelopment Authority, and problems with developers working on HRA-related properties.

No date was immediately set for the workshop of county staff and commissioners and HRA officials.

See the Nov. 4 print edition of the Woodbury Bulletin for more on this story, including why commissioners want more review of the HRA.

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