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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 22046-01-2016 ORDINANCE NO.22046-01-2016 AN ORDINANCE INCREASING THE ESTIMATED RECEIPTS AND APPROPRIATIONS IN THE SPECIAL PURPOSE FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $30,459.00, FOR THE PURPOSE OF ASSISTING LOW INCOME FAMILIES TO PREVENT INTERRUPTION OF THEIR WATER SERVICE AND TO ASSIST WITH SPECIAL PLUMBING NEEDS; PROVIDING FOR A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; MAKING THIS ORDINANCE CUMULATIVE OF PRIOR ORDINANCES; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS: SECTION 1. That in addition to those amounts allocated to the various City departments for Fiscal Year 2015-2016 in the Budget of the City Manager, there shall also be increased estimated receipts and appropriations in the Special Purpose Fund in the amount of $30,459.00, for the purpose of assisting low income families to prevent interruption of their water service and to assist with special plumbing needs. SECTION 2. That should any portion, section or part of a section of this ordinance be declared invalid, inoperative or void for any reason by a court of competent jurisdiction, such decision, opinion or judgment shall in no way impair the remaining portions, sections, or parts of sections of this ordinance, which said remaining provisions shall be and remain in full force and effect. SECTION 3. That this ordinance shall be cumulative of Ordinance No. 21873-09-2015 and all other ordinances and appropriations amending the same except in those instances where the provisions of this ordinance are in direct conflict with such other ordinances and appropriations, in which instance said conflicting provisions of said prior ordinances and appropriations are hereby expressly repealed. SECTION 4. This ordinance shall take effect upon adoption. APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY: Christa Reynolds,A stant City Attorney Mary J I ser City, cretary ADOPTED AND EFFECTIVE: January 12,2016 Ordinance No.22046-01-2016 Page 1 of 1 City of Fort Worth, Texas Mayor and Council Communication COUNCIL ACTION: Approved on 111212016 - Ordinance No. 22046-01-2016 DATE: Tuesday, January 12, 2016 REFERENCE NO.: G-18636 LOG NAME: 60WATER DONATIONS SUBJECT: Adopt Ordinance Increasing the Estimated Receipts and Appropriations in the Special Purpose Fund in the Amount of$30,459.00 for Donations to the Water and Garbage Fee Assistance and Plumbing Repair Program (ALL COUNCIL DISTRICTS) RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council adopt the attached appropriation ordinance increasing estimated receipts and appropriations in the Special Purpose Fund in the amount of$30,459.00 for funds collected by the Water Department as donations to the Water and Garbage Fee Assistance and Plumbing Repair Program. DISCUSSION: On January 18, 2005, (M&C G-14656) the City Council established a Water and Garbage Fee Assistance and Plumbing Repair Program to assist low income families with an emphasis on the elderly and disabled to prevent interruption of their water service and to assist with special plumbing needs. The Water Department established a program utilizing the monthly billing statement to collect donations. Three donation options were offered which included: 1) a recurring monthly donation, 2) a one-time pledge or 3) a random amount that could be noted on their monthly payment. Donations are collected by the Water Department and deposited into a Special Purpose Fund for use under this program. The Parks and Community Services Department has administered the Water and Garbage Fee Assistance and Plumbing Repair Program in the past. Due to the merger of the Community Services Division of the Parks and Community Services Department with the Neighborhood Services Department in Fiscal Year 2016, the program is now administered by the Neighborhood Services Department. The Neighborhood Services Department provides social services such as food, shelter, utilities, clothing, transportation and childcare assistance to low income individuals and families from seven Community Action Partnership (CAP) locations throughout Fort Worth. CAP receives frequent requests for assistance with water bills and plumbing emergencies. However, resources to address these needs are limited and sporadic. The Water and Garbage Fee Assistance and Plumbing Repair Program is offered to residents of Fort Worth whose income is at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines and meets at least one of the following criteria: 1. An unforeseen event occurred within the last 180 days that has or will deplete financial resources; 2. An excessive water bill resulting from plumbing problems, which must be resolved before assistance with the water bill is provided; or 3. The household's income is insufficient to address essential needs. Logname: 60WATER DONATIONS Page I of 2 These households are prioritized based on the following constraints: 1. Elderly; 2. Disabled; 3. Families with unemployed heads of households; and 4. Families with limited income and resources. The program has two components: 1. Water and Garbage Fee Assistance - Households confronted with extraordinary events or situations that have or will deplete their financial resources and constitutes a threat to the health or well-being of family members. A maximum of$400.00 will be expended on each household assisted; and 2. Plumbing Repair- Households experiencing a plumbing problem that is causing a water related crisis. A maximum of$3,000.00 will be allowed for each qualified household. Repairs that exceed the maximum are leveraged with the Neighborhood Services Department's Priority Repair Program. To date, $300,553.00 has been received in the Water and Garbage Fee Assistance and Plumbing Repair Program. Appropriations through Fiscal Year 2015 total $270,094.00. For Fiscal Year 2016 an additional $24,000.00 has already been appropriated from projected donations. The proposed appropriation represents $30,459.00 of remaining unappropriated prior year donations. We are therefore requesting to appropriate this amount to cover additional expenses under the program. This M&C does not request approval of a contract with a business entity. FISCAL INFORMATION /CERTIFICATION: The Financial Management Services Director certifies that upon adoption of the appropriation ordinance, funds will be available in the current operating budget, as appropriated, of the Special Purpose Fund. FUND IDENTIFIERS (FIDs): TO Fund Department Accouni Project ProgramActivity Budget Reference # Amount ID ID Year Chartfield 2 25002 0800450 4640001 S00063 $30,459.00 25002 0800450 S00063 $22,981.00 25002 0190444 S00063 $7,478.00 FROM Fund Department Accoun Project Program ctivity Budget Reference # �moun ID ID Year Chartfield 2 CERTIFICATIONS: Submitted for City Manager's Office by: Jay Chapa (6122) Originating Department Head: John Carman (8246) Additional Information Contact: Kara Shuror (8819) Logname: 60WATER DONATIONS Page 2 of 2