Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Monica Cepero
Department: County Administration Division: Libraries
Information
Requested Action
title
MOTION TO APPROVE State Aid to Libraries Grant Agreement 26-ST-02, between Broward County and the Florida Department of State, Division of Library and Information Services, for the State Aid to Libraries Grant Program (Exhibit 1), in the estimated amount of $1,037,392, for the purpose of operating and maintaining public libraries, for the period October 1, 2023, through June 30, 2026; and authorize the County Administrator to execute amendments to the Grant Agreement, provided they do not impose any increased financial obligations on the County and subject to review and approval by the Office of the County Attorney for legal sufficiency, and to take all administrative or budgetary actions to implement the grant and accept funding; and authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute the Grant Agreement and the related required certification (Exhibit 2).
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Why Action is Necessary
Board action is necessary to approve the Grant Agreement, Certification of Credentials, and the Certification of Hours, Free Library Service and Access to Materials.
What Action Accomplishes
These actions will enable the County to participate in the State Aid to Libraries Grant Program for the State of Florida’s Fiscal Year 2025-2026.
Goal Related Icon(s)
☒County Commission
☐Go Green
☐MAP Broward
Previous Action Taken
None.
Summary Explanation/Background
THE LIBRARIES DIVISION RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTION.
This item supports the Board's Goal to "Cultivate community culture, arts, recreation and life-long learning."
The State Aid to Libraries Grant Program is administered by the State of Florida and is awarded to qualifying governing bodies throughout the State, pursuant to Florida Statutes Section 257, for the purpose of operating and maintaining libraries.
The State Aid to Libraries Grant Agreement (Exhibit 1) must be submitted annually with a certification of local expenditures for the second preceding fiscal year (October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024). The State prepares the forms and requires that the governing authority for the grantee sign first. The accompanying Certification of Hours, Free Library Service, and Access to Material Form (Exhibit 2) with the signature of the governing body must also be electronically submitted to the State.
The Grant Agreement is provided to support free library services and access to materials to residents for the period October 1, 2023, through June 30, 2026. Broward County has been receiving State Aid to Libraries Grant Program funds for operating and maintaining County libraries since 1974. The amount of the grant award will be stated in Exhibit B to the Grant Agreement, which will be provided once the final award amount has been determined, and the State fully executes the agreement. The State estimates Broward County’s award to be approximately $1,037,392, however, the actual award amount will be determined upon receipt of deliverables. Broward County received $981,815 for Fiscal Year 2025; $864,292 for Fiscal Year 2024; and $1,177,176 for Fiscal Year 2023.
The County Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved this agreement as to form. The agreement is in a form required by the Florida Department of State, and includes nonstandard terms, including an obligation that the County indemnify the State for claims relating to the grant agreement and that the venue of any dispute would be Leon County.
Source of Additional Information
Allison Grubbs, Director, Libraries Division, 954-357-7377
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
It is estimated that Broward County will receive approximately $1,037,392 in State Aid for Fiscal Year 2026, which will be deposited into the General Fund.