HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 27497-02-2025Ordinance No. 27497-02-2025
AN ORDINANCE INCREASING ESTIMATED RECEIPTS AND
APPROPRIATIONS IN THE GRANTS OPERATING STATE FUND, SUBJECT TO
RECEIPT OF THE GRANTS, IN AN AMOUNT UP TO $700,000.00, FOR THE
PURPOSE OF ASSISTANCE TO VETERANS AND FAMILIES; 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 alIocated to the various City departments for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 in the
Budget of the City Manager, there shall also be increased estimated receipts and appropriations in the Grants
Operating State Fund, subject to receipt of the grants, in an amount up to $700,000.00, for the purpose of
assistance to veterans and families.
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 27107-09-2024 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said prior ordinances and appropriations are hereby expressly repealed.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�� a1 d
o Assistant City Attorney
ADOPTED AND EFFECTIVE: February 25, 2025
CITY SECRETARY
Jannette S. Goodall
City Secretary
City of Fort Worth, Texas
Mayor and Council Communication
DATE: 02/25/25 M&C FILE NUMBER: M&C 25-0167
LOG NAME: 19NS TVC GRANTS 2025-2026
SUBJECT
(ALL) Ratify Application for and, if Awarded, Acceptance of Two Grants from the Texas Veterans Commission in a Total Amount Up to
$700,000.00 for Assistance to Veterans with Security Deposits, Rent, Mortgage, Utility Assistance and Accessibility and Safety Modifications to
their Homes, Approve Execution of Applicable Grant Contracts, Waive Indirect Costs and Adopt Appropriation Ordinance
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council: ,
1. Ratify the application for and, if awarded, acceptance of two Veterans' Assistance Grants from the Texas Veterans Commission for a
General Assistance Grant in an amount up to $400,000.00 and a Housing for Texas Heroes Grant in an amount up to $300,000.00;
2. Authorize the execution of related contracts, including any renewals, amendments and extensions in accordance with City policies and
regulations with the Texas Veterans Commission for the grant funds for the program year beginning on July 1, 2025 and ending on August
31, 2026;
3. Adopt the attached appropriation ordinance increasing estimated receipts and appropriations in the Grants Operating State Fund, subject to
receipt of the grants, in an amount up to $700,000.00, for the purpose of assistance to veterans and families; and
4. Authorize a waiver of the Neighborhood Services Department indirect cost rate of 21.05%, for an estimated total of $17,769.99.
DISCUSSION:
The purpose of the Mayor and Council Communication (M&C) is to ratify the application for and, if awarded, acceptance of two grants from the
Texas Veterans Commission, a General Assistance Grant in an amount up to $400,000.00 and a Housing for Texas Heroes Grant in an amount up
to $300,000.00 that will benefit veterans in Fort Worth and Tarrant County. The Neighborhood Services Department has already submitted
applications for these grants to meet the November deadline for application.
The Forward Home Veteran Assistance Program funded by the General Assistance Grant will provide emergency financial assistance such as
deposits, rentaYmortgage and utility payments that are short-term and temporary in nature. During program year 2023-2024, the grant was able to
assist 106 veteran/dependents and surviving spouses. This program year, through September 2024, the program has served 9 households for a
benefit average of $2,078.63 per household. This grant will be administered by the Community Services Division of the Neighborhood Services
Department. If awarded, funding will allow to provide needed services to help stabilize veterans and prevent homelessness.
The Housing for Texas Heroes Grant will be utilized to provide needed repairs, accessibility or safety modifications to the homes of low-income
veterans or surviving spouses. During program year 2023-2024, the Housing for Texas Heroes Grant provided assistance to 18 veterans and
surviving spouses. For the 2024-2025 program year, the City did not receive the Housing for Texas Heroes grant. This grant will be administered
by the Community Services Division of the Neighborhood Services Department. If awarded, funding will provide needed services to help with
accessibility and critical housing repairs.
The Neighborhood Services Department will connect with eligible veterans through various resources, including 2-1-1 (First Call for Help), Mission
United (a United Way initiative supporting veterans, active -duty military, and their families), the Texas Veterans Network, and local Veteran
Assistance programs. The department will also with the City's Veterans Affairs Office to share information about these programs.
Grant funds support administrative and program delivery allocations for 1.15 full time employee positions in the Neighborhood Services
Department, Indirect costs totaling an estimated $17,769.99 calculated by taking wages & salaries designated for this grant of approximately
$84,418.00 multiplied by the Neighborhood Service Departments' indirect cost rate of 21.05% defined in the City's most recent Cost Allocation
Plan, could be charged to these grants. 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 veterans and families. If awarded, both grants will begin on July 1, 2025 and end on
August 31, 2026.
Positions funded with Texas Veteran Commissions grant funds 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. Alternatives to consider may include staff and program reductions or eliminations.
Grant applications have been entered to the Grant Application Repository as GRNT-APPL-0000000115 and GRNT-APPL-0000000116.
No matching funds are required from the City for these grants.
These programs service ALL COUNCIL DISTRICTS and the rest of Tarrant County.
A Form 1295 is not required because: This contract will be with a governmental entity, state agency or public institution of higher education: Texas
Veterans Commission
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 State 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.
These are reimbursement grants.
Submitted for City Manager's Office . Jesica McEachem 5804
riginating Business Unit Head: Kacey Bess 8187
Additional Information Contact: Benedict George 7339
Michelle Doonkeen 5771