HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 21837-08-2015 ORDINANCE NO. 21837-08-2015
AN ORDINANCE INCREASING THE ESTIMATED RECEIPTS AND
APPROPRIATIONS IN THE GRANTS FUND IN THE AMOUNT UP TO
$275,000.00, WHICH INCLUDES $250,000.00 FOR OPERATION OF THE
VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (VITA) AND $25,000.00
AS THE CITY'S IN-KIND MATCH, SUBJECT TO RECEIPT OF THE GRANT
FROM THE UNITED WAY OF TARRA.NT COUNTY, FOR THE PURPOSE OF
FUNDING OPERATION OF THE VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE
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 2014-2015 in the
Budget of the City Manager,there shall also be increased estimated receipts and appropriations in the Grants
Fund in the amount up to $275,000.00, which includes $250,000.00 for operation of the Volunteer Income
Tax Assistance program (VITA) and $25,000.00 as the City's in-kind match, subject to receipt of the grant
from the United Way of Tarrant County, for the purpose of funding operation of the Volunteer Income Tax
Assistance 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 No. 21457-09-2014 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of said prior ordinances and appropriations are hereby expressly repealed.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:
�I4 _ ity Attorney M rry J. Kq r, (-it. cretary
L€��� n Cxu�n�a:n,Assrstant
�M
ADOPTED & EFFECTIVE: Alzgust 1 8,,20.15
Ordinance No.21837-08-2015
Page 1 of 1
City of Fort Texas
Mayor and council Communication
Hiu UUUUUUU11U1
COUNCIL ACTION: Approved on 8/18/2015 - Ordinance No. 21837-08-2015
DATE: Tuesday, August 13, 2015 REFERENCE NO.: **C-27
LOG NAME: 0U C-VITA®2015
SUBJECT:
Authorize Application for and Acceptance of„ if Awarded, a Grant from the United Way of Tarrant County in
the Amount Up to $250,000..00 for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, Authorize Execution of
Agreement with the United Way of Tarrant County„ Authorize Allocation of Portion of Assigned Staff Time
Valued in the Amount Up to $25,000.00 as an In-bind Match and Adopt Appropriation Ordinance (ALL
COUNCIL DISTRICTS)
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council,
1.. Authorize the application for and authorize acceptance of„ if awarded, a grant from the united Way of
Tarrant County in the amount up to $250,000.00 fort the operation oft the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
program„
2. Authorize the execution of the related Grant Agreement with the United Way of Tarrant County',
3. Authorize the allocation of a portion of assigned staff time valued in the amount up to $25,000.00 as an
in-kind match fort is grant-, an
4. Adopt the attached appropriation ordinance increasing estimated receipts and appropriations in the
Grants Fund in the amount up to 275„000..009 subject to receipt of funds.
DISCUSSION:
The United Way of Tarrant County has funds available for agencies to implement the Asset Development
and Income Support Initiative for Fiscal Year 2015-2015. The outcome oft is initiative is to positively
impact the financial stability of Tarrant County working families.
One method to accomplish this is by assisting unduplicated low-incorne families through the Volunteer
Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. In 2001, a decision was made to move the VITA program from
the Internal Revenue Service to a community based program. It was determined that the communities
had eter relationship with their residents and would be more successful in delivering the three pronged
message tote populations. The three pronged message the Internal Revenue Service is interested in
delivering is: (1) tax return preparation, (2) financial education and asset building an (3) outreach. The
Earned Income Tax Credit is the basis of the VITA program. This message is delivered through 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.
[wring the 2014-2015 Fiscal Year, the Parks and Cornnrwnity Services Department administered the
program through the Community Action Partners at nine sites throughout Tarrant County, If the funds are
t..ogrianie: t IJW'FC-VITA.-20 t Page 1 of 2
awarded, the Neighborhood Services Department will administer the program in 2015-2016. Total tax
returns completed were 2,706 for an overall refund amount of$4,214,025.00 of is $1,635,380.00 was
Earned Income Credit dollars from 580 clients. The number of clients choosing to purchase savings
bonds was 49 and 51 clients decided to split their refund by placing a portion in a savings account.
The goal for Fiscal Year 2015-2016 is to assist up to 3,000 unduplicated low-income workers file their tax
returns through a VITA site and to file for approximately $1.6 million in Earned Income Tax Credits
(EITC). EITC can supplement the income for families while they or to advance their earnings. This will
enable these families to meet daily living expenses, begin saving, it assets and achieve a level of
financial stability,
A 10 percent match is required for this grant and will be provided by allocating a portion of assigned staff
time valued in the amount up to $25,000.00 that is billed to and paid out of previously, appropriated
general fund money. The total amount oft is grant, when factoring in the in-kind match, is up to
$275,000.00,.
This programs es ALL COUNCIL DISTRICTS.
.... ............... .................
FISCAL INFORMATION / CERTIFICATION:
The Financial Management Services Director 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 Fund. Prior to an expenditure being made, the Parks and
Community Services Department have the responsibility to validate the availability of funds.
FUND CENTERS:
TO Fund/Account/Centers FROM Fund/Account/Centers
GR76 488339 08045570 000 2b0O0L00
GR76 488928 080455)(XX0O0 $25_0.QQO 0..0
QR'76 517040 1�2 X 5
080455XXXXX
................... _5Q0Q 00
QRRZ'7L6 MAR 0US) 080455XXXXXX $2-U.'.000.00
............... .........
CERTIFICATIONS:
Submitted for CI Mann gei"s..Qffiice.0 Susan Alanis (81 80)
_y:
OrWinging-Pppartment Head: Richard Zavala (5704)
Additional Information Contact: Sonia Singleton (577 4)
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