UNTITLED

Governor Patton Changes Department for Local Government More Service, Less Paperwork

Contact: Melissa Forsythe 502-564-2611, Bob Arnold 573-2382

October 21, 1997

The branch of Kentucky State Government that administers millions of dollars in grants and loans to cities, counties, special districts, and others should become more accessible and less burdened with red tape. Governor Paul Patton today signed an executive order restructuring the Department for Local Government.

Governor Patton said, "As the first governor in three decades who's held a local office, I know how important it is for local officials to have a voice in Frankfort. My appointment of Bob Arnold as Commissioner of the Department for Local Government was one step in assuring that the needs of our cities, counties, and area development districts would be met. Now these changes in the functions of DLG should help people from Pikeville to Paducah , by providing better access, service, and technology."

DLG will provide the following assistance to local officials through four divisions:

Community Development becomes the central point of contact for all grants, from community development block grants to the Appalachian Regional Commission program.

Training and Area Development District Services will provide specialized services, including personnel, stress, and financial training, statewide to local officials and their employees.

Financial Services will expand its services to include counties, cities, area development districts and special districts.

Support Services will increase technology to eliminate much of the paperwork now required . Local officials will be able to use the Internet to file grant and loan applications. DLG anticipates that its web site will be online for electronic filings within six months.

DLG has 65 employees and an annual budget of some $100 million dollars, of which an estimated $44 million is distributed to local communities to help pay for projects ranging from sewer plants to neighborhood revitalization.

Commissioner Arnold said,"We're continually assessing the needs of Kentucky's 120 counties, 435 cities, over 600 special districts, and 15 Area Development Districts to make sure we're doing everything possible to be responsive to the communities."

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