Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Bertha Henry
Department: County Administration Division: Grants Administration
Information
Requested Action
title
A. MOTION TO RATIFY Grant Agreement signed by the County Administrator between Broward County and the Center for Tech and Civic Life for the purpose of facilitating safe elections during the COVID public health emergency.
ACTION: (T-10:25 AM) Approved.
VOTE: 8-0. Commissioner Rich voted in the affirmative telephonically. Commissioner Sharief was not present.
ACTION: (T-10:30 AM) Commissioner Sharief requested being shown voting in the affirmative.
VOTE: 9-0.
B. MOTION TO ADOPT budget resolution No. 2020-552 within the Other Financial Assistance Fund in the amount of $1,424,971 to provide Broward County with funding to facilitate safe elections during the COVID-19 pandemic.
ACTION: (T-10:25 AM) Approved.
VOTE: 8-0. Commissioner Rich voted in the affirmative telephonically. Commissioner Sharief was not present.
ACTION: (T-10:30 AM) Commissioner Sharief requested being shown voting in the affirmative.
VOTE: 9-0.
body
Why Action is Necessary
Ratification by the Board of County Commissioners is required for actions taken by the County Administrator under these circumstances.
What Action Accomplishes
Ratifies the County Administrator’s execution of the grant agreement on behalf of the County.
Is this Action Goal Related
No
Previous Action Taken
None
Summary Explanation/Background
At the March 10, 2020 meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Broward County (“Board”), as part of agenda items 62 A and B, the Board authorized the County Administrator to take necessary actions to provide for the health and safety of Broward County residents and visitors and to maintain the day-to-day business and operations of the County in connection with the COVID-19 public health emergency. The Board’s authorization required advanced written notice to the Board of any actions that would be taken by the County Administrator and subsequent ratification at the next official public meeting of the Board.
On September 30, 2020, the County Administrator executed the grant agreement with The Center for Civil Life (the “Grant Agreement”) (Exhibit 1) after review and approval as to form by the Office of the County Attorney. Broward County, in partnership with the Broward County Supervisor of Elections, applied for grant funding from The Center for Civil Life to assist with the safe administration of the November 3, 2020 General Election. The Center for Civil Life approved a grant to the County in the amount of $1,424,971 to be used towards the County’s and Broward County Supervisor of Election’s proposed “Safe Voting Plan” (Budget Resolution, Exhibit 2). The funding provided in the Grant Agreement may be used towards the Safe Voting Plan expenses incurred between June 15, 2020 and December 30, 2020. The grant funds are being used to fund supplemental outreach and education campaigns by the Broward County Supervisor of Elections and the Broward County Office of Public Communications. Additionally, grant funds will also provide supplemental “hazard pay” for Poll Workers and the conversion of two existing Vote-by-Mail ballot drop boxes at the Supervisor of Elections’ Offices in Lauderhill and at Government Center into “drive-through” boxes.
Source of Additional Information
Kimm Campbell, Assistant County Administrator, County Administration, (954) 357-7352
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
Broward Office of Public Communications will receive $675,000. The Broward Supervisor of Elections Office will receive $749,971.