HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 22996-11-2017 Ordinance No. 22996-11-2017
AN ORDINANCE INCREASING THE ESTIMATED RECEIPTS AND APPROPRIATIONS IN
THE GRANTS FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF UP TO $275,000.00, SUBJECT TO RECEIPT
OF THE GRANT, FOR THE VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE PROGRAM;
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 2017-2018 in the
Budget of the City Manager,there shall also be increased estimated receipts and appropriations in the Grants
Fund in the amount of$275,000.00, subject to receipt of the grant, for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
program.
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. 22927-09-2017 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said prior ordinances and appropriations are hereby expressly repealed.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.
VED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY: CITY SECRE R
Assistant City ttorney,%C�E � �� IvIarii. r
ADOPTED AND EFFECTIVE: November 14. 2017
City of Fort Worth, Texas
Mayor and Council Communication
COUNCIL ACTION: Approved on 11/14/2017 - Ordinance No. 22996-11-2017
DATE: Tuesday, November 14, 2017 REFERENCE NO.: **C-28474
LOG NAME: 19UWTC-VITA-2018
SUBJECT:
Authorize Application for and Acceptance of, if Awarded, a Grant from the United Way of Tarrant County in
an Amount Up to $250,000.00 for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, Authorize Execution of
Agreement with the United Way of Tarrant County, Authorize Allocation of a Portion of Assigned Staff Time
Valued in an Amount Up to $25,000.00 as an In-Kind Match and Adopt Appropriation Ordinance (ALL
COUNCIL DISTRICTS)
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Authorize the application for and authorize acceptance of, if awarded, a grant from the United Way of
Tarrant County in an amount up to $250,000.00 for the operation of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
program;
2. Authorize the execution of the related grant Agreement with the United Way of Tarrant County;
3. Authorize the allocation of a portion 10 percent of assigned staff time valued in an amount up to
$25,000.00 as an in-kind match for this grant;
4. Adopt the attached appropriation ordinance increasing estimated receipts and appropriations in the
Grants Fund in an amount up to $275,000.00, subject to receipt of funds; and
5. Waive the City's requirement to allocate indirect costs to this grant.
DISCUSSION:
The United Way of Tarrant County has funds available for agencies to implement the Asset Development
and Income Support Initiative for Fiscal Year 2017-2018. The outcome of this initiative is to positively
impact the financial stability of Tarrant County working families.
One method to accomplish this is by assisting unduplicated low-income families through the Volunteer
Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. In 2001, VITA became a community based program that
provides tax return preparation, outreach products and financial education. The goal is to deliver a
program and teach people how to invest their refunds in an advantageous manner to assist them with
becoming self-sufficient.
During the 2016-2017 Fiscal Year, the Neighborhood Services Department administered the program
through the Community Action Partners at 11 sites throughout Tarrant County. If the funds are awarded,
the Neighborhood Services Department will administer the program in 2017-2018. As of April 15, 2017,
3,530 tax returns were completed for an overall refund amount of$6,101,335 of which $2,509,979 was
Logname: 19UWTC-VITA-2018 Page 1 of 2
Earned Income Credit dollars from 1,393 clients. The number of clients choosing to purchase savings
bonds was 61 and 41 clients decided to split their refund by placing a portion in a savings account. The
impact to Tarrant County's economy is $7,160,335 in refunds and money saved.
The goal for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 is to assist up to 4,000 unduplicated low-income workers file their tax
returns through a VITA site and to file for approximately $3.0 million in Earned Income Tax Credits
(EITC). EITC can supplement the income for families while they work to advance their earnings. This will
enable these families to meet daily living expenses, begin saving, build assets and achieve a level of
financial stability.
A 10 percent match is required for this grant and will be provided by allocating a portion of assigned Staff
time valued in the amount up to $25,000.00 that is billed to and paid out of previously appropriated
general fund money. The total amount of this grant, when factoring in the in-kind match, is up to
$275,000.00. The grant does not allow for indirect costs to be charged. As a result, all funding will be
applied to direct services to operate the program.
This program serves ALL COUNCIL DISTRICTS.
FISCAL INFORMATION /CERTIFICATION:
The Director of Finance certifies that upon approval of the above recommendations and adoption of the
attached appropriation ordinance, funds will be available in the current operating budget, as appropriated,
of the Grants Fund. This is an advance grant.
FUND IDENTIFIERS (FIDs):
TO
Fund Department ccoun Project Program ctivity Budget Reference # moun
ID ID _ Year (Chartfield 2 _
FROM
Fund Department ccoun Project Program ctivity Budget Reference # moun
ID ID Year Chartfield 2
CERTIFICATIONS:
Submitted for City Manager's Office by: Fernando Costa (6122)
Originating Department Head: Aubrey Thagard (8187)
Additional Information Contact: Sonia Singleton (5774)
Logname: 19UWTC-VITA-2018 Page 2 of 2