Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Tara Williams
Department: Human Services Division: Family Success Administration
Information
Requested Action
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MOTION TO AUTHORIZE County Administrator to execute an agreement between Florida Power & Light Company (“FPL”) and Broward County, subject to review for legal sufficiency by the Office of the County Attorney, for the provision of emergency energy assistance to eligible Broward County residents in an estimated amount of $1,500,000 from FPL’s Care to Share contribution fund, effective January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2028; authorize the County Administrator to execute amendments to the agreement, subject to review for legal sufficiency by the Office of the County Attorney, that do not impose any additional financial obligations on the County; and authorize the County Administrator to take all necessary administrative and budgetary actions to implement the agreement.
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Why Action is Necessary
Broward County Board of County Commissioners’ (“Commission”) approval is required for agreements with external agencies.
What Action Accomplishes
This action allows the County to assist up to 600 low-income households annually who are experiencing financial crisis and facing possible interruption of electric service, ensuring the health and safety of Broward County residents.
Goal Related Icon(s)
☒County Commission
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Previous Action Taken
None
Summary Explanation/Background
THE HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE FAMILY SUCCESS ADMINISTRATION DIVISION RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTION.
This item supports the Commission’s value of “building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions,” and the goal of “delivering accessible human services that holistically address the whole person collaboratively and compassionately.” Approval of this action demonstrates County’s commitment to provide services in partnership with all agencies in the community to advance the well-being and economic stability of its residents.
The FPL Care to Share Program (“CTS”) is funded by charitable contributions received from FPL customers, employees, and shareholders. The program helps pay electric bills of those who are facing a financial crisis due to a recent loss or reduction of income or unforeseen expenses. Program funds are provided to the County by FPL and are paid back to FPL for customers’ electric utility services. Under this Agreement, Broward County’s Community Action Agency (“CAA”) accepts applications for energy assistance and determines eligibility based on the FPL CTS guidelines. CAA coordinates intake and eligibility determination with services provided under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (“LIHEAP”) federal grant. CAA then determines which households are eligible for assistance under LIHEAP, CTS, or both.
Eligible households can receive assistance with payments of up to $500 for electric utility bills during a 12-month period through the CTS program. These limits may be exceeded in special circumstances with FPL's approval. A household must exhaust all other sources of funding before becoming eligible for CTS funds and must meet the income guidelines provided by FPL.
This Agreement does not guarantee a specific amount of funding since the amount of charitable contributions may vary. However, FPL estimates up to $1,500,000 may be available over the five-year term. Each quarter, FPL disburses contributions received to the County, and the County holds those funds until they are expended for eligible customers.
There are no performance measures for the program. From May 2007 to date, the County has received over $3.12 million from program contributions, and assisted more than 4,385 resident households with CTS program funds.
The current Agreement between FPL and the County will end on December 31, 2023. As FPL is the funder, the new Agreement will be in FPL’s format. FPL and the Family Success Administration Division are in the process of finalizing the Agreement. The Agreement will be reviewed for legal sufficiency by the Office of the County Attorney prior to execution by the County Administrator.
Source of Additional Information
Natalie D. Moffitt, Director, Family Success Administration Division, (954) 357-6367
Kristi Hill, Assistant Director, Family Success Administration Division, (954) 357-6367
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
No County funds or additional staff are required to administer the CTS program as the program is administered in conjunction with the LIHEAP grant. Up to $1,500,000 will be budgeted in the CTS Fund (90014) for direct service expenditures over the five-year term.