Columbus, Georgia

Agenda Item # ________



Columbus Consolidated Government

Council Meeting



January 15, 2002



Agenda Report #__________





TO: Mayor and Councilors



SUBJECT: Governor?s Emergency Fund Grant



INITIATED BY: Finance/Accounting

________________________________________________________________________________

____________________



Recommendation: Accept responsibility as Pass-Through Agency for an $8,000

Governor?s Emergency Fund Grant to the Sally Little League in Columbus for the

purchase of equipment.



Background: The Sally Little League provides a service to residents of

Columbus by offering recreation programs for children and youth. The

Governor?s Emergency Fund is a reserve of funds available, at the discretion of

the Governor, to local governments and community organizations with specific

financial needs. These funds are channeled to the recipients through the

Georgia Department of Community Affairs and passed through the local

government. The local government must ascertain whether the agency meets the

State requirements concerning the non-sectarian and gratuities clauses of the

Official Code. The local government may choose not to act as pass-through

agency in some circumstances. The Columbus Consolidated Government, in

partnership with the Children, Youth and Family Coalition, administers the

pass-through program to numerous local agencies. The City of Columbus has been

acting as pass-through agency since 1993 with no problems on the state or local

level.



Analysis: Many local agencies rely heavily on funding through Local

Assistance, Governor?s Emergency Fund, and Governor?s Discretionary Fund Grants

to help with the costs of daily operations. Some use the funds to operate a

specific program that might not otherwise be available to the citizens. The

citizens of Columbus benefit greatly from the programs that are funded with

these grants.



Financial Considerations: As pass-through agency, the City of Columbus is

responsible for any funds deemed misspent by the awarding agency. Grant

Agreement is signed and kept on file for all organizations receiving funds.

This agreement indicates that, if funds are deemed misspent, the organization

will reimburse the City of Columbus.



Legal Considerations: It is the responsibility of the Local Government to

ascertain if an organization is in compliance with the Official Code regarding

the sectarian and gratuity clause. All grant contracts are approved by the

City Attorney?s office before they are submitted to the State.



Recommendation/Action: Approval of Resolution to accept responsibility as

Pass-Through Agency for a Governor?s Emergency Fund grant in the amount of

$8,000 and amend the Multi-Grant Fund by the same amount.