Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Bertha Henry
Department: County Administration Division: Libraries
Information
Requested Action
title
MOTION TO APPROVE Grant Agreement and Grant Application Certification of Hours, Free Library Service and Access to Material between Broward County and the Florida Department of State, Division of Library and Information Services, for the State Aid to Libraries Grant Program for the purpose of operating public library services; and authorize the County Administrator to make modifications to the agreement or application, if necessary, and to take all administrative or budgetary actions to implement the grant and accept funding; and authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute the same.
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Why Action is Necessary
The State requires that the Board of County Commissioners approve the Grant Agreement and execute a Certification of Hours, Free Library Service and Access to Material form to receive funding from the State Aid to Libraries Grant Program.
What Action Accomplishes
This action will enable the County to participate in the State Aid to Libraries Grant Program for Fiscal Year 2021.
Is this Action Goal Related
Yes
Previous Action Taken
None.
Summary Explanation/Background
THE LIBRARIES DIVISION RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTIONS.
This item supports the Board's Goal to "Enhance funding for Library programs and various life-long-learning opportunities for our residents and visitors."
The State Aid to Libraries Grant Program is administered by the State of Florida and is awarded to qualifying governing bodies throughout the State, pursuant to Florida Statutes Chapter 257 and the Florida Administrative Code Chapter IB-2.001, for the purpose of operating and maintaining libraries. The Libraries Division has been receiving State Aid funds since 1974. As in past years, a definite award amount is not yet available and the State has not provided an estimate of the award. In 2020, Broward County received $1,435,461; in 2019, $1,398,383; and, in 2018, $1,590,545.
The State Aid to Libraries Grant agreement (Exhibit 2) must be submitted annually with certification of local expenditures for the previous year. The State prepares the forms and requires that the governing authority for the grantee sign first. The Agreement and the accompanying Certification of Hours, Free Library Service and Access to Material form (Exhibit 3) with the signature of the governing body must be electronically submitted to the State by December 1, 2020.
This Agreement is a State form which has been published in Florida's Administrative Code. The State will provide the Exhibit B referenced in the grant agreement once the final award amount has been determined and the State fully executes the agreement. In the event of a dispute, please note that the venue for any litigation that may arise from this agreement is Leon County.
The Office of the County Attorney has reviewed and approved as to form.
Source of Additional Information
Kelvin Watson, Director, Libraries Division, (954) 357-7377
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
Based on an average of the three prior years’ distributions, it is estimated that Broward County will receive approximately $1,474,796 in State Aid for Fiscal Year 2021. The funds will be deposited into the General Fund.