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Home My WebLink AboutContract 56854 CSC No.56854 Y December 6, 2021 United Way of Tarrant County VITA Program Memorandum of Understanding July 1, 2021 —June 30, 2022 This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between United Way of Tarrant County (UWTC) and the City of Fort Worth (CFW) is developed to ensure that Tarrant County low wage earners who participate in free tax services have the opportunity to apply for all eligible tax benefits. Under this MOU, UWTC and CFW agree to work collaboratively from July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022 to ensure free tax services are offered to Tarrant County low wage earners and to follow all of the rules and requirements of the second first year of the IRS Grant to be awarded October 1, 2021. The point of contact for each organization is: UWTC CFW Jeffrey Allison Victor Turner EVP & CFO, UWTC Director Neighborhood Services 817-258-8114 817-392-7540 ieffrey.allisona-unitedwaytarrant.org Victor.Turnera-FortWorthTexas.gov The specific responsibilities of each organization are outlined below. United Way agrees to: • Provide financial support to CFW's 8 VITA sites for 2021-2022 in the amount of $139,000. • Provide guidance/technical support and monitoring of compliance with Quality Site Requirements for CFW VITA staff. • Provide required oversight of the VITA program and ensure VITA grant requirements are met, including adherence to Quality Site Requirements and new volunteer requirements. • Meet with the Director Neighborhood Services as needed. • Take the lead in the recruitment and training of all volunteers. • Provide background checks for all volunteers. • Market the VITA program throughout Tarrant County. • Share results of the VITA program with the Tarrant County community. • Coordinate with the IRS and CFW to ensure a seamless effective VITA system. • Ensure that all of the IRS VITA requirements are met and monitor compliance of all IRS grant requirements., including the new volunteer requirements. • Review quarterly financial reports for all VITA funding including the IRS grant funds. OFFICIAL RECORD CITY SECRETARY FT. WORTH, TX UNITED WAY OF TARRANT COUNTY UNITED 1500 N. Main St., Suite 200, Fort Worth, TX 76164 LIVE City of Fort Worth agrees to: • Operate 8 VITA sites in accordance with the IRS and UWTC. • Operate 1 mobile VITA unit to provide additional Tarrant County access to service. • Prepare and file a total of at least 3,546 tax returns at their 8 VITA sites (9, including mobile). This number is subject to change based on receiving target from IRS. • Assist in recruiting volunteers and participants for the VITA partnership. • Make Site Coordinator training mandatory. • Give designated UWTC staff administrative access in TaxSlayer software to all sites. • Forward TaxSlayer reports in PDF format to UWTC on Friday of each week. • Continue timely submission of quarterly reports. • Communicate violations to Quality Site Requirements to UWTC and the IRS within 24 hours of being made aware. • Include the UWTC name and approved logo on CFW's website, marketing materials and news releases. UWTC approval of any editorial, publicity, social media, collateral and any other content must be received in advance of inclusion on any CFW external communications. • Participate in all VITA partnership meetings and meetings of UWTC volunteers as needed. • Supply necessary IRS VITA grant information in a timely manner. • Permit UWTC to audit staff timecards of staff used as match funding to meet the IRS grant requirements if necessary. • Adhere to all IRS grant requirements for the operation of the 8 VITA sites and mobile site. • Send Quality Site Requirement written guidelines for oversight to UWTC and the IRS and update both entities regarding any changes as they occur (within two weeks of the change). • Allow UWTC to publicize the arrangement with CFW, including but not limited to inclusion of the CFW logo and branding on UWTC's website, marketing materials, social media, collateral, news releases and any other content. Duration of Agreement This MOU may be modified, altered, revised, extended or renewed by mutual written consent of both parties, by the issuance of a written amendment, signed and dated by both parties. This MOU will be executed upon signature of both parties and will apply for the period of July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022. Signatures Date: Dec 15, 2021 Victor Turner Director Neighborhood Services, CFW A�e"Ifl Dec 15, 2021 ,LyJryon(g L15,2 15:03 CST) Date: Jeffrey Allison EVP & CFO, UWTC OFFICIAL RECORD 12/6/2021 CITY SECRETARY FT. WORTH, TX M&C Review Page 1 of 2 Official site of the City of Fort Worth,Texas CITY COUNCIL AGENDA FoRIr— TWORTH DATE: 9/21/2021 REFERENCE NO.: **M&C 21-0713 LOG NAME: 19NS UWTC- VITA-2021 CODE: C TYPE: CONSENT PUBLIC NO HEARING: SUBJECT: (ALL) 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 Attached Appropriation Ordinance 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 of assigned staff time valued in an amount up to $25,000.00 as an in-kind match for this grant; and 4. Adopt the attached appropriation ordinance increasing estimated receipts and appropriations in the Grants Operating Other Fund, subject to receipt of the grant, in the amount up to $275,000.00. DISCUSSION: The United Way of Tarrant County has funds available for agencies to implement the Asset Development and Income Support Initiative for Fiscal Year 2021-2022. 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 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 2020 Fiscal Year, the Neighborhood Services Department administered the program through the Community Action Partners at eight sites throughout Tarrant County. If the funds are awarded, the Neighborhood Services Department will administer the program in 2021-2022. As of June 15, 2021, 3,096 tax returns were completed for an overall refund amount of$4,932,459.00 of which $1,147,989.00 was earned income credit dollars from 640 clients. The number of clients choosing to purchase savings bonds was 19 and two clients decided to split their refund by placing a portion in a savings account. The impact to Tarrant County's economy is $5,861,259.00 in refunds and money saved. The goal for the department is to assist up to 3,500 unduplicated low-income workers file their tax returns through a VITA site and to file for approximately $1.5 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 ten percent match is required for this grant and will be provided by allocating a portion of assigned http://apps.cfwnet.org/council_packet/mc_review.asp?ID=29261&councildate=9/21/2021 12/14/2021 M&C Review Page 2 of 2 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 Operating Other Fund. Neighborhood Services (and Financial Management Services) will be responsible for the collection and deposit of funds due to the City. Prior to expenditures being incurred, Neighborhood Services has the responsibility to validate the availability of funds. This is an advance grant. TO Fund Department Account Project Program Activity Budget Reference# Amount ID ID Year ChartField 2 FROM Fund Department Account Project Program Activity Budget Reference# Amount ID ID Year (ChartField 2) Submitted for City Manager's Office by: Fernando Costa (6122) Originating Department Head: Victor Turner(8187) Additional Information Contact: Sonia Singleton (5774) ATTACHMENTS 19NS UWTC-VITA 2021 21003.docx http://apps.cfwnet.org/council_packet/mc_review.asp?ID=29261&councildate=9/21/2021 12/14/2021 UNITED WAY OF TARRANT COUNTY 2021-22 VITA GRANT APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY: Taylor Paris Assistant City Attorney ATTEST: FoRr��a ap a�00000000ao�L ��o G��d Jan nette S.Goodall(Dec 16,202108:30 CST) P.o o4 d Jannette Goodall w o o=d ° o d City Secretary �� 0o i�d M&C 21-0713 nEXASaAp Dated: September 21,2021 By signing below, I acknowledge that I am the person responsible for the monitoring and administration of this contract, including ensuring all performance and reporting requirements. A---'-&-j Sonia Singlet (Dec 15,2021 16:13 CST) Sonia Singleton, Interim Director Neighborhood Services OFFICIAL RECORD CITY SECRETARY FT. WORTH, TX