HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 19930-10-2011Ordinance No. 19930-10-2011
AN ORDINANCE INCREASING THE ESTIMATED RECEIPTS AND
APPROPRIATIONS IN THE SPECIAL TRUST FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF
$25,000.00, FROM AVAILABLE FUNDS, FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING
FUNDS TO THE WATER/GARBAGE FEE ASSISTANCE AND PLUMBING REPAIR
PROGRAM; PROVIDING FOR A SEVERABILTTY 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 2011 -2012 in the
Budget of the City Manager, there shall also be increased estimated receipts and appropriations in the
Special Trust Fund in the amount of $25,000.00, from available funds, for the purpose of providing funds to
the Water /Garbage Fee Assistance and Plumbing Repair 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. 19911 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ordinances and appropriations are hereby expressly repealed.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:
I
Assistant City Attorney
ADOPTED AND EFFECTIVE: October 4, 2011
City of Fort Worth, Texas
Mayor and Council Communication
COUNCIL ACTION: Approved on 1014/2011 - Ordinance No. 19930
DATE: Tuesday, October 04, 2011
LOG NAME: 60UTILASSIST4
REFERENCE NO.: * *G -17407
SUBJECT:
Adopt Ordinance Increasing the Estimated Receipts and Appropriations in the Special Trust Fund by
$25,000.00 for Donations to the Water /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 Trust Fund by $25,000.00 for funds collected by the Water
Department as donations to the Water /Garbage Fee Assistance and Plumbing Repair Program.
DISCUSSION:
On January 18, 2005, (M &C G- 14656) the City Council established a Water /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 billing statement. Donations are collected by
the Water Department and transferred monthly to a Special Trust Fund for periodic allocation to the Parks
and Community Services Department.
The Parks and Community Services Department administers the Water /Garbage Fee Assistance and
Plumbing Repair Program. Currently, the Parks and Community 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 implementation of the Water /Garbage
Fee and Plumbing Repair Program is for 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 definitions:
1. Unforeseen event occurred within the last 180 days that has or will deplete financial resources;
2. Excessive water bill due to plumbing problems, which must be resolved before assistance with
water bill is provided; and
3. Household's income is insufficient to address essential needs.
These households are prioritized based on the following financial constraints:
Logname: 60UTILASSIST4 Page 1 of 2
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 /Garbage Fee Assistance Component - 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 Assistance Component - 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 Housing and Economic Development
Department's Emergency Repair Program.
To date $119,274.76 has been transferred for use in the Water /Garbage Fee Assistance and Plumbing
Repair Program to assist over 150 households.
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 Trust Fund.
FUND CENTERS:
TO Fund /Account/Centers
FE72 539120 080502900000
FE72 488022 080502900000
CERTIFICATIONS:
Submitted for City Manager's Office bT.
Originating Department Head:
Additional Information Contact:
$25.000.00
$25,000.00
FROM Fund /Account/Centers
Fernando Costa (8476)
S. Frank Crumb (8207)
Kara Shuror (8819)
Logname: 60UTILASSIST4 Page 2 of 2