CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA CITY COUNCIL AGENDA




  Agenda Date:           September 21, 2020

  Action Required:       Appropriation

  Presenter:             Mike Rogers, Deputy Chief – Business Services, Charlottesville Fire
                         Dept.

  Staff Contacts:        Mike Rogers, Deputy Chief – Business Services, Charlottesville Fire
                         Dept.
                         Fiscal Year 2021 Fire Programs Aid to Locality Funding (Firefund)
  Title:                 - $165,628.00


Background:

The Code of Virginia provides for the collection of an annual levy each fiscal period from the
insurance industry. Such levy is collected by the State Corporation Commission, and the
amounts collected are then transferred into the Fire Program Fund (Firefund). These aid to
locality monies are then distributed to the jurisdictions to supplement the localities funding for
fire service based training, training supplies, training equipment, prevention activities, and some
response equipment. This is an annual allotment of funding. All usage and any carryovers are
reported out to the Department of Fire Programs at the end of the fiscal period before the next
fiscal period monies are granted. The City of Charlottesville has been awarded $165,628.00 in
these funds for FY 2021.

Discussion:

The Aid to Locality monies are distributed annually to aid departments in their training,
prevention, and equipment efforts. While the monies cannot be used to directly/indirectly supplant
or replace other locality funds, they help us to provide for additional firefighting training resources,
logistics, courses, and equipment as outlined in the Department of Fire Programs Aid to Locality
allowable uses chart.

Alignment with Council Vision Areas and Strategic Plan:

The Aid to Locality/Firefund allocation supports the City’s mission “We provide services that
promote equity and an excellent quality of life in our community” by providing supplemental
training and equipment funding for fire prevention, firefighting, hazardous materials, and technical
rescue. With this additional funding being put towards these purposes we are better able to prepare
our responders to deliver emergency services and/or information to the citizens, students, business
community members, and guests of the City.
The assistance from this annual funding allotment also aligns with Goal 2.1, Reduce adverse
impact from sudden injury and illness and the effects of chronic disease, as well as the elements
within Goal 5 - A Well-managed and Responsive Organization.

Community Engagement:

N/A

Budgetary Impact:

There is no impact to the General Fund, as these are grant funds that do not require a City match.
The FY 2021 funds will be budgeted and expensed in the City’s grant fund.

Recommendation:

Staff recommends approval and appropriation of grant funds.

Alternatives:

If Aid to Locality funding is not appropriated, the Fire Department will not be able to utilize this
supplemental funding to help support its training, prevention, and equipment efforts.

Attachments:

N/A
                                      APPROPRIATION
            Fiscal Year 2021 Fire Programs Aid to Locality Funding (Firefund)
                                           $165,628.00


      WHEREAS, the Virginia Department of Fire Programs has awarded a grant to the Fire
Department, through the City of Charlottesville, specifically for fire service applications;

       NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of
Charlottesville, Virginia, that a total of $165,628.00 be appropriated in the following manner:


Revenues - $165,628

$165,628       Fund: 209              I/O: 1900010          G/L Account: 430110

Expenditures - $165,628

$165,628       Fund: 209              I/O: 1900010          G/L Account: 599999



       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this appropriation is conditioned upon the receipt
of $165,628.00 from the Virginia Department of Fire Programs.