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HomeMy WebLinkAbout28242-01-2026 - City Council - OrdinanceOrdinance No.28242-01-2026 AN ORDINANCE INCREASING ESTIMATED RECEIPTS AND APPROPRIATIONS IN THE GRANTS OPERATING FEDERAL FUND, SUBJECT TO RECEIPT OF THE GRANT, IN THE AMOUNT UP TO $650,000.00, FOR THE PURPOSE OF ASSISTING WITH WEATHERIZATION AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY EFFORTS IN THE HOMES OF THE LOW- INCOME INDIVIDUALS; 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 2025-2026 in the Budget of the City Manager, there shall also be increased estimated receipts and appropriations in the Grants Operating Federal Fund, subject to receipt of the grant, in the amount up to $650,000.00, for the purpose of assisting with weatherization and energy efficiency efforts in the homes of low-income individuals. 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 orjudgment 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 27979-09-2025 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in which instance said conflicting provisions of said prior ordinances and appropriations are hereby expressly repealed.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: Sophl'e Alai hews Assistant City Attorney ADOPTED AND EFFECTIVE: January 13, 2026 CITY SECRETARY Jannette S. Goodall City Secretary rr0R7' 0000000rO�o0f 0o° io° 400 a 00 0000000 .Cj an nEapSo�a City of Fort Worth, Texas Mayor and Council Communication DATE: 01/13/26 M&C FILE NUMBER: M&C 26-0028 LOG NAME: 19TDHCA-DOE2025 SUBJECT (ALL) Authorize Acceptance of a Grant from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs from the 2025 Department of Energy Weatherization Assistance Program, a Federally Funded Program Providing Assistance for Low to Moderate Income Residents to Lower Home Energy Costs through the City of Fort Worth Weatherization Assistance Program, in an Amount Up to $650,000.00, Waive Indirect Costs of $18,105.95, Authorize Execution of Related Contracts and Adopt Appropriation Ordinance RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council: 1. Authorize the acceptance of grant funds from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs in an amount up to $650,000.00 from the 2025 Department of Energy Weatherization Assistance Program grant for the City of Fort Worth Weatherization Assistance Program; 2. Authorize the execution of related contracts, including any renewals, amendments and extensions, with the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs for the grant funds; 3. Adopt the attached appropriation ordinance increasing estimated receipts and appropriations in the Grants Operating Federal Fund, subject to receipt of the grant, in the amount up to $650,000.00, for the purpose of funding the 2025 Department of Energy Weatherization Assistance Program; and 4. Waive indirect costs of $18,105.95. DISCUSSION: The purpose of this Mayor and Council Communication is to approve acceptance of Department of Energy (DOE) grant funds that will be used to assist with weatherization and energy efficiency efforts in the homes of low-income individuals in the City of Fort Worth (City) and Tarrant County. The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) has been operated by the City since 1982. The bulk of the funding for the program comes from the TDHCA through the Low -Income Housing Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which also administers grant funds from the United States Department of Energy and the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Additional funds are supplied by the Texas Association of Community Action Agencies (TACAA), which administers monies allocated by Oncor Electric Delivery (Oncor) to provide a Low -Income Weatherization Program that complements the federally funded WAP and provides assistance to Oncor's low-income customers for energy efficiency measures. The WAP will utilize DOE grant funding to serve low-income residents in Tarrant County with household incomes at or below 200% of Federal Poverty Income Guidelines. WAP will assist these residents by weatherizing their homes and making them more energy efficient. TDHCA's DOE funds will be administered within existing WAP standards and guidelines, and through various contracts with subcontractors. Weatherization measures include attic insulation, weather-stripping, caulking, repair and/or replacement of windows and doors, and other minor repairs. All subcontractors performing any eligible services for the City will not be paid until work is inspected and approved by Neighborhood Services Department staff. Administrative costs are restricted to 7.5 percent of the DOE grant based on the total allowable expenditures for the DOE. The City has weatherized approximately 34 houses with funding from DOE grant between July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, and will target the completion of 45 houses in 2025-2026. DOE Contract terms stipulates that average costs per Unit (materials, labor, and program support), excluding health and safety expenses, shall not exceed $8,547.00 per Unit. 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 1.25 Full Time Equivalent positions in the Neighborhood Services Department. Indirect costs totaling an estimated $18.105.95, calculated by taking wages and salaries designated for this grant of approximately $86,014.00 multiplied by the Neighborhood Service Department's indirect cost rate of 21.05% 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 Low -Income Housing Energy Assistance Program 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. Alternative to consider may include staff and program reductions or eliminations. This program services 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: Department of Energy/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. 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 Department has the responsibility to validate the availability of funds. This is a reimbursement grant. Submitted for Citv Manaaer's Office by Oriainatina Business Unit Head: Additional Information Contact: Dana Burghdoff 8018 Kacey Thomas 8187 Benedict George 7339 James Armstrong 7380