By Parker Leavitt | The Arizona Republic
The Gilbert Town Council this week took unprecedented steps to refuse about $800,000 a year in future federal funding for programs aimed at low-income residents, citing a reluctance to add to the federal deficit and follow a requirement to designate money for low-cost housing.
Gilbert will likely be the first community in Arizona and the Western U.S. to decline the grants after having received them in prior years, according to multiple sources.
The council reached a consensus on the action but had to delay a formal vote until the federal government shutdown ends and town staff can find out the process for halting grants in future years. Once the staff reports back to the council, the council will take a formal vote.
More than $7.5 million in federal grant money has helped Gilbert pay for public-safety programs, provide aid to low-income residents and improve traffic flow and safety over the past two fiscal years, according to an Arizona Republic review.
