Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Tara Williams
Department: Human Services Division: Housing Options Solutions and Supports
Information
Requested Action
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A. MOTION TO APPROVE funding increases for agreements between Broward County and service providers of Rapid Rehousing and Permanent Supportive Housing identified in Exhibit 1, effective October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024, to be executed in accordance with the terms of the agreements; authorize the Human Services Department Director to execute the contract adjustments; and authorize the County Administrator to take all necessary administrative and budgetary actions to implement the agreements as amended.
ACTION: (T-10:35 AM) Approved.
VOTE: 8-0. Commissioner Fisher voted in the affirmative telephonically. Commissioner Ryan was not present.
B. MOTION TO APPROVE waiver of conflict under Section 112.313(7)(a), Florida Statutes, for the following Broward County advisory board member holding an employment or contractual relationship with an entity receiving funds for the performance of services under this agenda item: Rafael F. Jimenez.
ACTION: (T-10:35 AM) Approved.
VOTE: 8-0. Commissioner Fisher voted in the affirmative telephonically. Commissioner Ryan was not present.
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Why Action is Necessary
A. Broward County Board of County Commissioners (“Commission”) approval is required for agreements with external agencies.
B. A waiver of conflict arising under Section 112.313(7)(a), Florida Statutes, requires two-thirds approval by the Commission.
What Action Accomplishes
Approval of Motion A enables reallocation of funds to maximize the provision of services to best meet the needs of the community.
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 HOUSING OPTIONS, SOLUTIONS, AND SUPPORTS DIVISION RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTIONS.
These actions support the Commisssion’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.” The reallocations will ensure the most effective and efficient use of the currently budgeted resources and allow service providers to increase the number of clients served.
On September 19, 2023, the Commission allocated $1,240,000 in new funds to the Housing Options, Solutions, and Supports Division, increasing the services for permanent supportive housing.
On October 17, 2023, the Broward County Homeless Continuum of Care Board’s Performance, Outcomes, Needs and Gaps committee (“PONG”) voted unanimously to allocate $400,000 to each permanent supportive housing provider identified in Exhibit 1 and $40,000 in repurposed funds to Housing Opportunities, Mortgage Assistance, & Effective Neighborhood Solutions, Inc. for rapid rehousing services. The Homeless Continuum of Care Board voted unanimously to allocate the funds as determined by PONG. Commission approval is required because the requested increases in funding amounts exceed the threshold authorized by the terms of the agreements. Retroactive approval is requested to allow service providers to invoice Broward County for services provided to eligible clients after the effective date and avoid an interruption in service provision.
One service provider recommended receiving additional funding did not meet the expected outcomes for Fiscal Year 2023 (Exhibit 2). This was the provider’s first year offering this service, and their performance, as measured by the outcomes, improved significantly from quarter two to quarter four. Staff is working with this provider to improve future outcomes.
A letter of support from the Broward County Homeless Continuum of Care Board is attached as Exhibit 3.
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 relationships with any business entity… which… is… doing business with an agency of which he or she is an officer or employee. In accordance with Section 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 a two-thirds vote of the Commission after disclosure of the conflicting relationship (Motion B) in accordance with Section 112.313(12), Florida Statutes. Form 4A, Disclosure of Business Transaction, Relationship, or Interest, is attached as Exhibit 4 and constitutes full disclosure of any existing conflict.
Source of Additional Information
Alex Morales, Assistant Director, Housing Options, Solutions, and Supports Division (954) 375-5136.
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
Funds are allocated in the Human Services Department Housing Options, Solutions, and Supports Division Fiscal Year 2023-2024 budget.