Title
Resolution to Appropriate Fund Balance to the Special Assistance Fund to Provide Aid to the Barrier Busters Program ($12,000.00) (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
This resolution seeks Council approval for the appropriation of fund balance from the Special Assistance Fund to provide additional resources to the Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development Barrier Busters Program during this time of unprecedented need.
City Council established the Ann Arbor Assistance Fund (0038) in 1984 as a mechanism by which individual donors and the business community could make donations to assist Ann Arbor residents to prevent eviction and utility shut-off. The Barrier Busters Emergency Unmet Needs Fund was established to receive funds from state, local, and private agencies that can be accessed by a single point of entry application to reduce barriers and resolve urgent or crisis situations for individuals and families in need.
The County uses and distributes the funds to aid Ann Arbor residents who are in danger of losing their housing or utility services because of serious financial problems. The County will require documentation as part of the application process to establish that an applicant has household income of less than 50% of the City of Ann Arbor's median income. Only one assistance payment per applicant will be made during any twelve-month period and that assistance payment will not exceed the amount of the housing payment for two months and/or the amount needed to continue or reinstate utility service.
In 2020, the City of Ann Arbor added a mechanism for customers paying their water bills online to make voluntary contributions to the Ann Arbor Assistance Fund (Fund 0038). The outcome of this feature has been collections that exceed what was originally budgeted for the FY20 budget, leading to a fund balance exceeding $12,000.00. Due to the current economic circumstances, staff recommends the release of these funds to the Barrier Busters program to support the needs that are increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As of the resolution drafting, current years revenues have already exceeded the projections for FY21.
Budget/Fiscal Impact: Fund balance is available in the Special Assistance Fund.
Staff
Prepared by: Lynne Chaimowitz, Public Services Budget and Finance Supervisor
Reviewed by: Marti Praschan, Public Services Chief of Staff
Craig Hupy, Public Services Area Administrator
Approved by: Tom Crawford, City Administrator
Body
Whereas, Fund Balance is available to distribute in the Special Assistance Fund (0038) in excess of the FY21 expenditure budget;
Whereas, Revenue projections have exceeded prior estimates; and
Whereas, This is a time of crisis in which the use of the funds for their intended purpose is critical and timely.
RESOLVED, That City Council Appropriate Fund Balance in the amount of $12,000.00 to the Special Assistance Fund for distribution to the Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development’s Unmet Needs Fund (Barrier Busters); and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator, or his designee, be authorized to take necessary administrative actions and to execute any additional documents necessary to complete this transaction and to implement this resolution.