Columbus, Georgia

Agenda Item #



Columbus Consolidated Government



Council Meeting



10/22/2002



Agenda Report #



TO: Mayor and Council



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 Eastway Youth Football League for

uniform purchases for indigent children.



Background: 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. A 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.



Recommendations/ Actions: 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.