Lee County creates office to manage $1.1B in Ian funds

Lee County has recently established the Office of Strategic Resources & Government Affairs to enhance the county’s competitiveness in securing and managing grant funds. The decision follows the county’s receipt of federal funds from the Housing and Urban Development, Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, and American Rescue Plan Act. The new department will be led by Glen Salyer, who has been an assistant county manager for over five years and has previously served as the county’s legislative liaison. The HUD funds received will be channeled to Lee County to support the long-term recovery process after Hurricane Ian, and the new department will oversee the allocation and management of these funds. The Office of Strategic Resources & Government Affairs will work on developing a plan that will specify the management, oversight, and use of the funds in consultation with HUD, and will report to the Lee County Manager. Additionally, the department will manage external funding policies and procedures, guide the grant proposal-seeking process, and ensure transparency and accountability in reporting on the status of grants to the county commissioners, grantors, and the public.