CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA
                  CITY COUNCIL AGENDA



  Agenda Date:         October 3, 2022

  Action Required:     Approval of Appropriation Resolution

  Presenter:           Mike Rogers, Deputy Chief of Business Services

  Staff Contacts:      Mike Rogers, Deputy Chief of Business Services

  Title:               Appropriating Fiscal Year 2023 Fire Programs Aid to Locality (Firefund) -
                       $186,776.00 (1 of 2 readings)


Background
Section 38.2-401 of the Code of Virginia authorizes the State Corporation Commission to annually
levy against all licensed insurance companies doing business in Virginia an assessment in the
amount of one percent of fire-related insurance premiums received by the companies. About
seventy-five percent of this money goes directly to localities as Aid to Localities, paid from the
Commonwealth's special, nonreverting fund known as the "Fire Programs Fund" (Firefund). The aid-
to-locality monies distributed to localities by allocations based on population. These monies can be
used for fire service based training, training supplies, training equipment, prevention activities, some
response equipment, and other purposes listed in Va. Code 38.2-401(B). This is an annual allotment
of funding. All usage and any carryovers are reported out to the Virginia Department of Fire
Programs at the end of the fiscal year, before the next fiscal year monies will be allocated. The City
of Charlottesville has been awarded the amount of $186,776.00 as its Fire Programs Fund allocation
for FY 2023.

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 City Council's Vision 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.
Community Engagement
N/A

Budgetary Impact
There is no impact on the General Fund, as these funds are in the nature of state aid, and do not
require a City match. The FY 2023 funds will be budgeted for expenditure within the City’s Fire
Department .

Recommendation
Staff recommends approval and appropriation of the FY23 allocation of funding from the state's Fire
Programs Fund.

Suggested motion: "I move the RESOLUTION appropriating the amount of $186,776.00
received from the Virginia Fire Programs Fund for expenditure within Fiscal Year 2023"

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
1.   Firefund FY 2023 Resolution Attachment