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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 25758-09-2022 ORDINANCE NO. 25758-09-2022 AN ORDINANCE INCREASING ESTIMATED RECEIPTS AND APPROPRIATIONS IN THE GRANTS OPERATING OTHER FUND,SUBJECT TO RECEIPT OF THE GRANT, IN THE AMOUNT UP TO $200,000.00, FOR THE PURPOSE OF FUNDING THE OPERATION OF 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 2021-2022 in the Budget of the City Manager,there shall also be increased estimated receipts and appropriations in the Grants Operating Other Fund,subject to the receipt of the grant,in the amount up to$200,000.00,for the purpose of funding the operations of 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 25073-09-2021 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which instance said conflicting provisions of said prior ordinances and appropriations are hereby expressly repealed.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: CITY SECRETARY �. G2ddG�L'G' ette S.Goodall(Oct 3,2022 12: DT) Assistant City Attorney Jannette S. Goodall City Secretary �y OF.Fo� ADOPTED AND EFFECTIVE: September 27,2022 �xAs � City of Fort Worth, Texas Mayor and Council Communication DATE: 09/27/22 M&C FILE NUMBER: M&C 22-0758 LOG NAME: 19NS UNITED WAY VITA 2022 SUBJECT (ALL)Authorize Application for and Acceptance of, if Awarded,a Grant from the United Way of Tarrant County in an Amount Up to$200,000.00 for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program,Authorize Execution of Agreement with the United Way of Tarrant County,and Adopt Attached Appropriation Ordinance RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council: 1. Authorize the application for and acceptance of,if awarded,a grant from the United Way of Tarrant County in an amount up to$200,000.00; 2. Authorize the execution of the related grant agreement with the United Way of Tarrant County;and 3. 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$200,000.00,for the purpose of funding the operation of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. DISCUSSION: The purpose of this Mayor and Council Communication is to authorize the application for and acceptance of, if awarded,a grant from the United Way of Tarrant County in an amount up to$200,000.00 for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.The United Way of Tarrant County has funds available for agencies to implement the Asset Development and Income Support Initiative for Fiscal Year 2022-2023.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 2022 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 2022-2023.As of June 15,2022,total of 3,397 tax returns were completed for an overall refund amount of$5,698,613.00 of which$1,794,948.00 was earned income credit dollars from 1,110 clients.Twelve clients chose to purchase savings bonds and eleven clients decided to split their refund by placing a portion in a savings account.The impact to Tarrant County's economy is$6,666,555.00 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. This grant is a competitive grant received from the United Way of Tarrant County.The grant has been consistently awarded to the City since 2014. Grant funds support administrative and program delivery allocations for 1.00 FTE position in the Neighborhood Services Department. Positions funded with United Way VITA grant are subject to grant availability. In the event of a grant award being decreased or eliminated, Neighborhood Services Department would review programs and services funded by the grants and determine a level of service and staffing that aligns with the available funding.Alternative to consider may include staff and program reductions or eliminations. 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. A Form 1295 is not required because:This M&C does not request approval of a contract with a business entity. 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. Submitted for City Manager's Office by: Fernando Costa 6122 Originating Business Unit Head: Victor Turner 8187 Additional Information Contact: Sonia Singleton 5774 Benedict George 7339