HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 26669-01-2024Ordinance No. 26669-01-2024
AN ORDINANCE INCREASING ESTIMATED RECEIPTS AND
APPROPRIATIONS IN THE GRANTS OPERATING FEDERAL FUND, SUBJECT
TO RECEIPT OF THE GRANT, IN THE AMOUNT UP TO $12,000,000.00, FOR
THE PURPOSE OF FUNDING UTILITY PAYMENT ASSISTANCE AND ENERGY
CONSERVATION EDUCATION FOR "LOW TO MODERATE" INCOME
RESIDENTS; 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 2023-2024 in the
Budget of the City Manager, there shall also be increased estimated receipts and appropriations in the Grants
Operating Federal Fund, subject to the receipt of the grant, in the amount up to $12,000,000.00, for the purpose
of funding utility payment assistance and energy conservation education for "low to moderate" income
residents.
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 26453-09-2023 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said prior ordinances and appropriations are hereby expressly repealed.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:
Q¢asy�.2 U)Ia m
QAssistant City Attorney
ADOPTED AND EFFECTIVE: January 23, 2024
CITY SECRETARY
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Jannette S. Goodall
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City of Fort Worth, Texas
Mayor and Council Communication
DATE: 01/23/24 M&C FILE NUMBER: M&C 24-0023
LOG NAME: 19NS CEAP 2024
SUBJECT
(ALL) Authorize Acceptance of a Grant from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs in an Amount Up to $12,000,000.00 for the
2024 Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program, a Federally Funded Program Sponsored by the United States Department of Health and
Human Services Designed to Provide Utility Payment Assistance and Energy Conservation Education for "Low to Moderate" Income Residents,
Authorize Related Contracts, Adopt Appropriation Ordinance, and Waive Indirect Costs
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Authorize the acceptance of Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program funds in an amount up to $12,000,000.00 from the Texas
Department of Housing and Community Affairs;
2. Authorize the execution of related contracts, including any amendments, renewals and extensions in accordance with City policies and
regulations with the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs for the grant funds for the program year beginning on January 1,
2024 and ending on December 31, 2024;
3. Adopt the attached appropriation ordinance increasing estimated receipts and appropriations in the Grants Operating Federal Fund, subject
to receipt of the grant, in an amount up to $12,000,000.00 for the purpose of funding utility payment assistance and energy conservation
education for "low to moderate" income residents; and
4. Authorize a waiver of the Neighborhood Services Department indirect cost rate of 17.29%, an estimated total of $174,686.00.
DISCUSSION:
The City of Fort Worth (City) contracts with the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) to provide the Comprehensive
Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) through the Community Action Partners (CAP), which is managed by the City's Neighborhood Services
Department. The TDHCA has notified the City to use the prior year's grant award and contract amount as a planning figure for the 2024 CEAP. The
total 2023 contract amount was $10,206,532.00. CAP staff projects an increase in funding resulting in an estimated grant award in an amount up
to $12,000,000.00 for this program in 2024. The additional appropriation takes into account anticipated energy rate increases and the award of
subsequent grant amounts due to other grantees being unable to spend their funding. During the past five years, the City has received an average
of $7,183,878.00 per year and as much as $10,206,532.00 in one year.
The three components of the program are:
1. Household Energy Crisis - weatherization and/or energy related assistance, repair of HVAC systems and/or purchase of window units;
2. Utility Assistance - assistance to all eligible households with priority given to household composition of elderly and/or disabled members or a
child under the age of five; and
3. Education - providing information about energy conservation measures.
All households at or below 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines will be afforded access to the program. Applicant households will
be determined eligible according to income guidelines and program policies. Benefit determinations include household income, household size,
energy consumption and/or vulnerability, and the availability of funds. CAP staff will accept applications at nine neighborhood CAP facilities and at
other identified locations throughout Tarrant County. Payments will be made for eligible clients directly to the utility vendors, and heating and cooling
system repair companies.
TDHCA allows no more than 7.22 percent of the grant award excluding travel and training) to be budgeted for administrative costs and 13.29
percent for program service costs. The remaining funds will be used for Household Energy Crisis and Utility Assistance for the duration of the
contract. From January 2023 to September 2023, CAP served 4,240 households and 9,574 individuals using this grant.
This grant is an entitlement grant received from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. The grant has been consistently
awarded to the City since 1982. Grant funds support administrative and program delivery allocations for 20.00 full-time employee positions in the
Neighborhood Services Department. Indirect costs totaling an estimated $174,686.00, calculated by taking wages & salaries designated for this
grant of approximately $1,010,329.00 multiplied by the Neighborhood Service Departments' indirect cost rate of 17.29% defined in the City's most
recent Cost Allocation Plan, could be charged to this grant. A waiver of these indirect costs is requested to allow allocation of these funds to further
support the programs and services to assist "low -to -moderate" income citizens.
Positions funded with Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program grant funds are subject to grant availability. In the event of a grant award being
decreased or eliminated, the 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.
No matching funds are required from the City for the CEAP Grant.
This program serves ALL COUNCIL DISTRICTS.
A Form 1295 is not required because: This contract will be with a governmental entity, state agency or public institution of higher education:
TDHCA
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, in the Grants Operating Federal Fund. The Neighborhood Services
Department (and Financial Management Services) will be responsible for the collection and deposit of funds due to the City. Prior to an
expenditure being incurred, the Neighborhood Services Department has the responsibility to validate the availability of funds. This is a
reimbursement grant.
Submitted for City Manager's Office b . Fernando Costa 6122
Originating Business Unit Head: Victor Turner 8187
Additional Information Contact: Sonia Singleton 5774
Benedict George 7339