Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Tara Williams
Department: Human Services Division: Community Partnerships
Information
Requested Action
title
A. MOTION TO ADOPT Resolution providing funding for certain services, the title of which is as follows:
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING APPROPRIATION AND DISBURSEMENT OF RYAN WHITE PROGRAM FUNDS TO SPECIFIED SERVICE PROVIDERS IN THE ESTIMATED AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF $19,946,634 FOR RYAN WHITE FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027; AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO TAKE ALL NECESSARY ADMINISTRATIVE AND BUDGETARY ACTIONS TO IMPLEMENT THE AGREEMENTS; AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
ACTION: (T-10:29 AM) Approved Resolution No. 2026-028.
VOTE: 8-0. Commissioner Fisher was not present during the vote.
B. MOTION TO APPROVE waivers of conflict under Section 112.313(7)(a), Florida Statutes, for the following Broward County advisory board members holding an employment or contractual relationship with an entity receiving funds for the performance of services under this agenda item.
1. Melida J. Akiti
2. Bradford J. Barnes
3. Von A. Biggs
4. Dionne J. Blackwood
5. Evan L. Boyar
6. Jose Castillo
7. Aaron Cutright
8. Stephen L. Demers
9. David M. Feldman
10. Alexander M. Fernandez
11. Bisiola O. Fortune-Evans
12. Vincent J. Foster
13. Gregory Gayle
14. Kendra Hayes
15. Ronenia A. Jenkins
16. Rafael F. Jimenez
17. Chauniqua D. Kiffin
18. Alondra Machado
19. Bradley Paul Mester
20. Timothy R. Moragne
21. Deborah A. Mulligan
22. Candace M. Pineda
23. Joshua Rodriguez
24. Mark S. Schweizer
25. Paula M. Thaqi
26. Annamma Udaya Thomas
27. Alexander Torres
ACTION: (T-10:29 AM) Approved.
VOTE: 8-0. Commissioner Fisher was not present during the vote.
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Why Action is Necessary
A. Broward County Board of County Commissioners (“Commission”) adoption of this Resolution is required for appropriation and disbursement of grant funds for agreements with external agencies and to authorize the County Administrator to execute the agreements and amendments.
B. A waiver of conflict arising under Section 112.313(7)(a), Florida Statutes, requires two-thirds approval by the Commission.
What Action Accomplishes
Adoption of Motion A authorizes distribution of funds to provide needed health care and support services to eligible Broward County residents living with HIV/AIDS commencing March 1, 2026, through February 28, 2027, in the estimated aggregate amount of $19,946,634.
Approval of Motion B waives the existence of any conflicts arising under Section 112.313(7)(a), Florida Statutes, as authorized under applicable law.
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Previous Action Taken
None.
Summary Explanation/Background
THE HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS DIVISION RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTIONS.
These actions support the Commission's value of "building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives" and the goal of "delivering accessible human services that holistically address the whole person collaboratively and compassionately." These actions will also ensure services are available to eligible Broward County residents living with HIV/AIDS.
Broward County has received federal funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (“HRSA”) since 1991. The Human Services Department (“HSD”) has historically received Notices of Award from HRSA close to, or after, the commencement of the Ryan White (“RW”) federal Fiscal Year, which is March 1 to February 28.
On September 5, 2024, (Item No. 8), the Commission approved the HRSA RW Part A (“Part A”) and Minority AIDS Initiative (“MAI”) grant application for the award period from March 1, 2025, through February 29, 2028 for core medical and support services in addition to planning, evaluation, and training services for persons living with HIV/AIDS.
On October 8, 2024, (Item No. 8), the Commission approved the HRSA Ending the HIV Epidemic in the US (“EHE”) grant application for the award period from March 1, 2025, through February 28, 2030, for core medical and support services to reduce HIV infections and expand the provision of services in Broward County.
On February 25, 2025 (Item No. 5), the Commission approved the appropriation and disbursement of Part A, MAI, and EHE funds awarded to Broward County by HRSA. Broward County expects to be awarded the Part A, MAI and EHE grants and receive payment of funds for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 (in part) on or about March 1, 2026.
To avoid an interruption of needed core medical and support services for people living with HIV/AIDS, HSD is requesting Commission authorization for appropriation and disbursement of funds to specified Part A, MAI and EHE service providers commencing March 1, 2026 (Exhibit 1, Attachments A and B). Agreements with the specified service providers identified with an “R” in the Attachments will be renewed in accordance with the terms and conditions of the agreements.
Approval of this item would give rise to certain employment conflicts under Section 112.313(7)(a), Florida Statutes, which provides that "no public officer... shall have or hold any employment or contractual relationship with any business entity... which is... doing business with an agency of which he or she is an officer or employee." In accordance with 112.313(12), Florida Statutes, Commission approval is required to waive any conflict of interest arising under Section 112.313(7)(a), Florida Statutes. An effective waiver requires two-thirds vote of the Commission after disclosure of the conflicting relationship (Motion B) in accordance with Section 112.313(12), Florida Statutes. Forms 4A, Disclosure of Business Transaction, Relationship, or Interest, are attached to this report as Exhibit 2 and constitutes full disclosure of any existing conflict.
Source of Additional Information
Cassandra L. Evans, Director, Community Partnerships Division, (954) 357-6398
Jessica Roy, Administrator, Health Care Services, (954) 357-5394
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
Broward County's RW, MAI, and EHE services are 100% funded through federal dollars from HRSA. No Broward County funds are required. These programs would be discontinued if grant funding were no longer available.