HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 27954-09-2025Ordinance No.
AN ORDINANCE INCREASING ESTIMATED RECEIPTS AND APPROPRIATIONS IN THE
GRANT OPERATING OTHER FUND,SUBJECT TO RECEIPT OF THE GRANT,IN THE AMOUNT OF
$100,034.98,FOR THE PURPOSE OF FUNDING THE NRG CARE 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 2024-2025 in the
Budget of the City Manager, there shall also be increased estimated receipts and appropriations in the Grants
Operating Other Fund, subject to receipt of the grant, in the amount of $100,034.98, for the purpose of funding
the NRG CARE 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 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said prior ordinances and appropriations are hereby expressly repealed.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.
CITY SECRETARY
_________________________
Jannette S. Goodall
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
___________________________________
Assistant City Attorney City Secretary
ADOPTED AND EFFECTIVE:
City of Fort Worth,
Mayor and
DATE: 09/16/25
Texas
Council Communication
M&C FILE NUMBER: M&C 25-0855
LOG NAME: 19NS NRG CARE PROGRAM 2025
SUBJECT
(ALL) Authorize Execution of a New Agreement with Reliant Energy Retail Services, LLC in a Total Amount Up to $100,000.00 for the
NRG CARE Program from May 1, 2025 through December 31, 2030, and Adopt Appropriation Ordinance
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Authorize the execution of a new agreement with Reliant Energy Retail Services, LLC in an amount up to $100,000.00 for the NRG
CARE Program from May 1, 2025 through December 31, 2030;
2. Authorize the acceptance of interest earned for the advanced funds in the amount of $34.98 for the new NRG CARE Program; 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 of $100,034.98, for the purpose of funding the NRG CARE Program.
DISCUSSION:
Reliant Energy Retail Services, LLC, (Reliant Energy) developed the CARE Program (Program) as a supplement to government and community
aid programs designed to assist Reliant Energy customers in financial distress to meet their electric utility related costs. The Program is funded by
voluntary contributions from Reliant Energy, its customers, its employees and third parties. On January 23, 2024, City Council authorized execution
of an agreement with Reliant Energy in an amount up to $100,000.00 for the CARE Program from January 1,2024 through December 31,2029.
The Neighborhood Services DepartmenYs (NSD) Community Action Partners will administer the Program.
On April 25, 2025, the City received notice from Reliant Energy of significant changes to the CARE Program. Effective May 1, 2025, the Reliant
CARE Program and the Direct Energy Neighbor to Neighbor bill assistance programs merged into a new program called the NRG CARE
Program (Customer Assistance and Relief for Electricity). Per the terms of the merger, all CARE and Neighbor to Neighbor funding can be applied
across all seven affiliates under the NRG umbrella. Affiliates include: Reliant Energy, Direct Energy LP (Direct Energy), Stream SPE, Ltd (Stream)
, US Retailers, LLC dba DISCOUNT POWER (Discount Power), US Retailers, LLC dba CIRRO Energy (Cirro Energy), XOOM Energy Texas, LLC
(Xoom Energy), and Green Mountain Energy Company (Green Mountain Energy). In addition, the maximum allowable assistance under NRG's
CARE program was increased from $300.00 to $600.00 per calendar year. To be eligible, recipients of the NRG CARE Program must be a
customer of an NRG Affiliate with an active account and the applicanYs name must match the NRG Affiliate's customer account name. Due to the
merger, Staff requests authorization for the execution of a new contract with Reliant Energy in the total amount up to $100,000.00 for the NRG
CARE Program from May 1, 2025 through December 31, 2030.
During the period of June 2017 to June 30, 2025, the City received a total amount of $78,732.98 from Reliant Energy in the form of advanced
funds under the CARE Program. These funds earned interest earnings of $759.23, out of which $724.25 were appropriated and added by the City
for the program (M&C-24-0026). The balance earned interest of $34.98 needs to be appropriated by the City into the new NRG Care Program
project.
A total of 316 Tarrant County households were assisted under the previous CARE program with grant funds totaling $73,801.69. The carryover
funds from the CARE program will be transferred to the new NRG CARE program. It is projected that up to 350 qualified households will receive
assistance under the new agreement.
The term of the Agreement will begin May 1, 2025. The Agreement will automatically renew on a year-to-year basis until terminated. No indirect
costs are allowed by Reliant Energy and no matching funds are required.
This program serves ALL COUNCIL DISTRICTS and remaining parts of Tarrant County.
A Form 1295 is not required because: This contract will be with an electric utility: Reliant Energy Retail Services,LLC
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 Other 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 expenditures
being incurred, Neighborhood Services Department has the responsibility to validate the availability of funds. This is an advance grant.
Submitted for City Manager's Office b� Dana Burghdoff 5804
Originating Business Unit Head: Kacey Bess 8187
Additional Information Contact: Benedict George 7339