SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Approve the reallocation of ARPA-related funding including $625,000 previously allocated to Main Library renovations; the reallocation of $3,000,000 previously allocated to the North Greenwood CRA; the reallocation of $40,000 of Cultural Affairs Nonprofit Grant Program funds previously allocated to the Community Service Foundation; and approve the reallocation of $3,000,000 of General Fund funding from project ENGF220001, New City Hall, to the North Greenwood CRA.
Body
SUMMARY:
In August 2022 Council approved the allocation of $22,483,893 in ARPA-related General Fund budget to various programs and projects. This “ARPA-related” General Fund budget was available due to the use of the full ARPA allocation received to fund allowable fiscal 2022 Police Department salaries and wages under the revenue recovery ARPA program category. The General Fund fiscal 2022 budget savings resulting from the ARPA allocation to Police payroll was then allocated/expended by Council to various special programs and capital projects that could now be accomplished due to the revenue recovery. These are referred to as “ARPA-related” programs and projects.
ARPA projects and programs must be committed/encumbered by December 31, 2024, and fully expended by December 31, 2026. These same deadlines are applied to our “ARPA-related” programs and projects.
A total of $625 thousand was allocated to Main Library renovations. Staff has determined that it is not possible to have this allocation encumbered or committed by the 12/31/2024 deadline, and is recommending that Council reallocate the funds as follows:
• An additional $225,338.14 to the ARPA-related project for solar at City facilities. This increases the allocation to this project to $2,225,338.14.
• An allocation of $50,000 to the new ARPA-related “HB 1365/Pinellas County” program to assist with a Pinellas County initiative to address recent State legislative requirements related to unauthorized public camping and public sleeping.
• An additional allocation of $349,661.86 to the ARPA-related project for State Street Park improvements. This increases the allocation to this project to $1,049,661.86.
A total of $3 million was allocated to the North Greenwood CRA. Staff has determined it is not possible to have this allocation encumbered or committed by the 12/31/2024 deadline and is requesting approval to reallocate it to the New City Hall capital project. In conjunction with this Staff is requesting approval to reallocate $3 million of General Fund funding from the New City Hall capital project to the North Greenwood CRA to replace the ARPA-related funding.
Finally, $40 thousand of the $1 million in Cultural Affairs Nonprofit Grants was allocated to the Community Service Foundation for renovation of the Plumb House per Council action on December 7, 2023. Staff is requesting reallocation of this $40 thousand to the Clearwater Historical Society for the Plumb House renovations.
Staff is available to address any questions regarding the requested allocations.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
If approved, the following budget amendments will be included at third quarter:
• A budget decrease/transfer of $625,000 of “ARPA-related” funding from capital project 315-C2211, Main Library Renovation, transferring $225,338.14 to capital project 315-G2214, ARPA Solar Panels; $50,000 to new special program 181-G2413, HB 1365/Pinellas County; and $349,661.86 to capital project 315-G2218, ARPA State Street Park Improvements.
• A budget decrease/transfer of $3,000,000 of “ARPA-related” funding from special program G2210, ARPA North Greenwood CRA, to capital project ENGF220001, New City Hall.
• A budget transfer of $3,000,000 of General Fund Revenue to the newly created North Greenwood CRA special revenue fund (189).
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
2.3 Promote Clearwater as a premier destination for entertainment, cultural experiences, tourism, and national sporting events.
3.1 Support neighborhood identity through services and programs that empower community pride and belonging.
4.2 Adopt renewable resource usage and waste reduction practices to ensure a vibrant city for current and future generations.