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HomeMy WebLinkAboutContract 58836DocuSign Envelope ID: 9EBCA852-CEEB-4C93-BC9E-45D817127D44 November 21, 2022 United Way of Tarrant County VITA Program Memorandum of Understanding October 1, 2022 — September 30, 2023 CSC No. 58836 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 October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023 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 year of the IRS Grant to be awarded October 1, 2022. The point of contact for each organization is: UWTC Gary Doubrava CFO, UWTC 817-258-8114 Gary.Doubrava(aD-unitedwaytarrant.org CFW Sonia Singleton Assistant Director Neighborhood Services 817-392-5774 Sonia. Singleton FortWorthTexas.gov The specific responsibilities of each organization are outlined below. United Way agrees to: • Provide financial support to CFW's 6 VITA sites for 2022-2023 in the amount of $159,000. There is no guarantee of continued funding at this level in subsequent years. Consideration for sustained or increased funding will be based on partner's performance toward target number of returns stipulated in this MOU. • 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 of 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 any new volunteer requirements. • Review quarterly financial reports for all VITA funding including the IRS grant funds. OFFICIAL RECORD UNITED WAY OF TARRANT COUNTY CITY SECRETARY 1500 N. Main St., Suite 200, Fort Worth, TX FT. WORTH, Tx 76164 DocuSign Envelope ID: 9EBCA852-CEEB-4C93-BC9E-45D817127D44 City of Fort Worth agrees to: • Operate 6 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 4,200 tax returns at their 6 VITA sites (7, including mobile). • 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. • Ensure that all outreach and marketing materials are co -branded by CFW with UWTC logo. • 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 6 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). 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 October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2023. Signatures Victor Turner Director Neighborhood Services City of Fort Worth �t4 h61 Leah M. King President and CEO United Way of Tarrant County Date: Nov 23, 2022 Date: 1/20/2023 11/21/2022 UNITED WAY OF TARRANT COUNTY 2022 VITA PROGRAM CSC No. APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY: TessiKA wiiiiams Jessika Williams (Feb 7, 2023 16:03 CST) Jessika Williams Assistant City Attorney Wlaab ao F�R. ATTEST: �bp dam° ��-+o Pvg 8 oo ova a o�° 000 Q a nEX Jeannette Goodall City Secretary M&C: M&C 22-0758 Dated: September 27, 2022 CITY OF FORT WORTH By: Victor Turner Title: Director Neighborhood Services Department Date: November 23,2022 UNITED WAY OF TARRANT COUNTY By: Leah King Title: President and CEO Date: January 20,2023 Contract Compliance Manager: 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. Sonia Singleton, Assistant Director Neighborhood Services OFFICIAL RECORD CITY SECRETARY FT. WORTH, TX M&C Review Page 1 of 2 A CITY COUNCIL AGEND Create New From This M&C DATE: 9/27/2022 REFERENCE NO.: **M&C 22-0758 LOG NAME: CODE: C TYPE: CONSENT PUBLIC HEARING: Official site of the City of Fort Worth, Texas FoRT WORTH 19NS UNITED WAY VITA 2022 NO 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. http://apps.cfwnet.org/council_packet/mc—review.asp?ID=303 10&councildate=9/27/2022 11/30/2022 M&C Review Page 2 of 2 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. 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 I Project Program Activity Budget 7 Reference # Amount ID ID Year I (Chartfield 2) Submitted for City Manager's Office by: Originating Department Head: Additional Information Contact: ATTACHMENTS Fernando Costa (6122) Victor Turner (8187) Sonia Singleton (5774) Benedict George (7339) ORD.APP19NS UNITED WAY VITA 2022 21003 A022(r3).docx (Public) http://apps.cfwnet.org/council_packet/mc—review.asp?ID=303 10&councildate=9/27/2022 11/30/2022