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 increase for Agreement 23-CP-HIP-2274-ESG-01 between Broward County and Women in Distress of Broward County, Inc., in the amount of $19,741, increasing the Agreement’s maximum funding amount from $30,000 to $49,741, effective February 1, 2025, through June 30, 2025, for the provision of essential services and shelter operations services to individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness as a result of fleeing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, sexual exploitation, sexual violence, and stalking, to be executed in accordance with the terms of the Agreement; authorize the Human Services Department Director to execute the contract adjustment; and authorize the County Administrator to take all necessary administrative and budgetary actions to implement the Agreement as amended.
ACTION: (T-10:23 AM) Approved.
VOTE: 8-0. Commissioner Davis was inaudible during the vote.
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: Shena L. Kitt.
ACTION: (T-10:23 AM) Approved.
VOTE: 8-0. Commissioner Davis was inaudible during the vote.
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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 the reallocation of funds to maximize the provision of services to best meet the community’s needs.
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 HOUSING OPTIONS, SOLUTIONS, AND SUPPORTS 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.” The increased funding will ensure the most effective and efficient use of currently budgeted resources for essential services and shelter operations services to individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness due to fleeing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, sexual exploitation, sexual violence, stalking, or other dangerous or life-threatening conditions.
On June 14, 2022 (Item No. 6), the Commission approved Resolution No. 2022-317, authorizing appropriation and disbursement of Florida Department of Children and Families (“DCF”) Fiscal Year 2022-2023 grant funds for agreements with nonprofit organizations to provide various services, and recommended funding in the amount of $30,000 to Women in Distress of Broward County, Inc. (“WID”). Agreement 23-CP-HIP-2274-ESG-01 with WID was renewed for DCF Fiscal Years 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 after the Commission’s adoption of Resolution No. 2023-267 on June 13, 2023 (Item No. 16) and Resolution No. 2024-315 on June 18, 2024 (Item No. 23), respectively. On May 23, 2024, a Contract Adjustment in accordance with the terms of the Agreement was executed to increase the Agreement’s maximum funding amount from $30,000 to $31,424, effective April 1, 2024, through June 30, 2024.
The Housing Options, Solutions, and Supports Division (“HOSS-D") recommends allocating available funds to WID through the end of the Agreement. The funds will be utilized to provide essential services and shelter operations services to individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness due to fleeing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, sexual exploitation, sexual violence, stalking, or other dangerous or life-threatening conditions. HOSS-D has received a letter of support from the Homeless Continuum of Care Advisory Board (Exhibit 1) supporting the HOSS-D recommendation.
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 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 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 2 and constitutes full disclosure of any existing conflicts.
Source of Additional Information
Patrice Paldino, Director, Housing Options, Solutions, and Supports Division
(954) 357-5686
Alex Morales, Assistant Director, Housing Options, Solutions, and Supports Division
(954) 357-5136
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
Funds in the amount of $19,741 are allocated in the Human Services Department’s Housing Options, Solutions, and Supports Division budget for Fiscal Year 2025.