Columbus, Georgia

Agenda Item # 6



Columbus Consolidated Government



Council Meeting



12/20/2005 04:14:17 PM



Agenda Report # 79



TO: Mayor and Council



SUBJECT: Local Assistance Grants



INITIATED BY: Finance Department





Recommendation: Approval is requested to accept responsibility as

Pass-Through Agency for a Special Project Local Assistance Grant approved by

the Georgia State Assembly for Port Columbus Civil War Naval Museum. Amend the

Multi-Grant Fund by $30,000 in flow-through revenues and expenditures.



Background: During the mid-year budget review process the local delegation to

the Georgia State Assembly solicits additional funds for local agencies and

projects. These funds are channeled to the agencies 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

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 Local Assistance Grants.



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

responsible for any funds deemed misspent by the awarding agency. A Local

Assistance 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 is requested to accept responsibility as

Pass-Through Agency for a Special Project Local Assistance Grant to the Port

Columbus Civil War Naval Museum as approved by the Georgia State Assembly and

amending the Multi-Grant Fund.