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Approval of Recommended Human Services Funding for FY 2024-2025
PURPOSE: The purpose of this item is for the Town Council to approve human services funding recommendations for FY 2024-2025.
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Department
DEPARTMENT: Housing and Community Services
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Contact
CONTACT INFORMATION: Anne-Marie Vanaman, Director, 919-918-7321 amvanaman@carrboronc.gov <mailto:amvanaman@carrboronc.gov>
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Council Direction
COUNCIL DIRECTION:
_X__ Race/Equity ____ Climate ____ Comprehensive Plan ____Other
Council Direction Statement
American political, social, and financial systems have worked to actively marginalize many different groups. This has often come in the form of denying rights or access to systems and institutions that greatly benefit one’s livelihood, education, and health. For hundreds of years, intentional actions have been taken to deny humanity, wealth and equitable education and employment for BIPOC, women, and disabled people, creating cycles of poverty and social marginalization. This has resulted in large disparities in health, educational opportunity, wealth and asset accumulation, and social mobility.
While not a solution to the ongoing negative impacts of institutionalized racism, many residents in Carrboro rely on nonprofit services for vital human needs, and while systemic change must occur, it cannot be accomplished on a local level in isolation of other systemic reformations. Without human services nonprofit organizations, many in our community would be left without basic necessities such as food, shelter, childcare, and healthcare.
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Information
INFORMATION: The Town Manager’s Recommended Budget for FY 2024-2025 includes an appropriation of $665,068 to be distributed to local human services agencies providing services to the residents of Carrboro.
The FY 2024-2025 Outside Agency/Human Services application cycle received 51 applications from nonprofit agencies, requesting a total of $690,177, this includes a request from IFC of $98,611 to support shelter services. The Town’s Human Services Advisory Commission reviewed the applications and held a total of 5 public hearings in February and March. During the hearings, the Commission heard presentations from applicants and asked questions related to performance, financial and organizational information, and current services.
Agencies funded in the prior year are also required to submit semiannual reports in January, and Town staff reviewed the reports and apprised the Commission of any performance-related issues or significant changes which could help inform their assessments. In addition, reports were made available to the Commission upon request.
On June 7, 2024, the Human Services Advisory Commission made final recommendations to fund 48 of the agencies for a total $452,256 for FY 2024-2025. (The balance of funds will provide the Town’s portion of support for the Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness, $114,201 shown in Attachment D and support for IFC’s shelter request of $98,611.)
The Commission’s recommendation can be found as Attachment B, and recommended allocations are provided in Attachment C.
Conflict of Interest Statute for Public Officials in G.S. § 14-234.3
On April 29, 2022, Town Attorneys presented a memorandum to Mayor Seils and the Town Council regarding the conflict-of-interest statute in G.S. § 14-234.3 for public officials holding leadership positions with nonprofit entities. This statute, which took effect on January 1, 2022, prohibits public officials who also serve as directors, officers, or governing board members for nonprofits from participating “in making or administering a contract, including the award of money in the form of a grant, loan, or other appropriation” with those nonprofits that the public official is associated with.
As required per this statute, Council Members who hold leadership positions with any of the Human Services nonprofit applicants will recuse themselves from deliberation and voting on Human Services funding FY24-25.
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Fiscal and Staff Impact
FISCAL IMPACT: The FY24-25 Town Manager’s Recommended Budget includes an appropriation of $665,068 for Human Services funding.
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Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the Council consider approving the Human Services funding recommendations. A resolution is provided as Attachment A.
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