Agenda 05/24/2022 Item #11D (6 FTE in the Pulbic Service Department, Community & Human Services Division)05/24/2022
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Recommendation to authorize six (6) Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) time-limited positions in the
Public Service Department, Community & Human Services Division, due to expanded grant
housing assistance programs (Fund 123 & 705). (This item is a companion item to items 9A and
11C)
OBJECTIVE: To provide ongoing support to residents of Collier County through grant-
funded housing programs.
CONSIDERATIONS: On January 5, 2021, the U.S. Department of Treasury announced funding
available to state and local governments to provide funding to residents that are unable to pay rent and
utilities due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Collier County was eligible for this funding since
our resident population exceeds 200,000 and per the Consolidated Congressional Act of 2021. The
Emergency Rental Assistance Program 1 (ERA 1) makes available $25 billion to assist nationwide. On
January 26, 2021, Agenda Item #16D7, the Board of County Commissioners ("Board") accepted the ERA
1 funding in the amount of $11,622,381.
On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan (ARP) which included additional
funds and created the Emergency Rental Assistance Program 2 (ERA 2). These funds were received by
the County on May 10, 2021. On June 08, 2021, Agenda Item #16D1, the Board accepted the ERA 2
funding in the amount of $9,088,102.
The America Rescue Plan (ARP) was signed into law on March 11, 2021. The ARP included a $350
billion in payments to State, Local, and Tribal governments navigating the recovery from the impact of
the COVID-19 outbreak. Collier County has received a direct appropriation of $74,762,701.00. These
funds have an obligation deadline of December 31, 2024, and an expenditure deadline of December 31,
2026. On May 11, 2021, the Board approved Agenda Item #11J, an “After-the- Fact” agreement
submission to the U.S. Treasury. On March 22, 2022, Agenda Item #16D, the Board approved an update
to the ARP Performance Plan and the reallocation of funding.
Implementation of the various housing assistance projects under the American Rescue Plan and the
Emergency Rental Assistance 1 and 2 programs awarded by the Department of Treasury have
significantly impacted the Community & Human Services Division’s ability to administer the programs.
The programs currently being administered have a particularly high volume of applications for assistance.
In addition, the associated complexity required to administer the programs effectively has resulted in the
need for additional staff. Staff has worked with the County’s temporary staffing agency; however, the
applicant pool has been very limited and often those selected candidates will separate quickly for a more
permanent position. The constant turnover from temporary staff has caused delays in application
processing times.
On May 10, 2022, Agenda Item 9B staff were directed to bring back a request for additional resources to
support the ERA 1, ERA 2, and ARP assistance programs. As such, the additional staff will oversee and
administer the administrative, accounting, programmatic, application processing, and monitoring for these
programs to meet the high demand that is expected for these community projects. Since activating the
ARP and ERA 1 and 2 programs, staff has received thousands of applications for assistance. As such, the
awards allow for administrative expenses. Six (6) temporary full-time employees are being proposed to
provide oversight and fiscal support. Payroll expenses for employees whose services are necessary to
administer and account for this program are fully reimbursable and allowable under the grant fund
appropriations. These positions will be used to expedite and track any payments and compliance
measures necessary and will only be necessary for the time that funding is available. The proposed staff
will include:
• (1) Grant Coordinator
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• (4) Grant Support Specialist
• () Operations Coordinator
FISCAL IMPACT: The proposed addition of 6 FTEs, including associated equipment, as applicable will
have the following fiscal impact by Fund, in Fiscal Year 2022:
Community & Human Service Housing
Grant Fund & Grant Support Fund
Fund 705
Fund 123
$ 115,667.41
Funding has been made available within the Community & Human Service Housing Grant Fund (705)
Project 33765 and Community & Human Service Grant Support Fund (123) Project 33699. Staff will
distribute funds for eligible expenditures in accordance with Board-approved policy. Any expenses
incurred by the County and associated with the administration of this agreement, including requested full-
time employees, will be accounted for, and are expected to be fully reimbursable.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: There is no growth management impact associated
with this item.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: This item is approved for form and legality and requires a
majority vote for Board approval. -DDP
RECOMMENDATION: Authorize six (6) Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) time-limited positions
in the Public Service Department, Community & Human Services Division, due to expanded
grant housing assistance programs and Affordable Housing initiatives (Fund 123 & 705).
Maggie Lopez, Financial and Operational Support Manager, Community and Human Services
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COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Item Number: 11.D
Doc ID: 22267
Item Summary: Recommendation to authorize six (6) Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) time-limited
positions in the Public Service Department, Community & Human Services Division, due to expanded
grant housing assistance programs (Fund 123 & 705). (This item is a companion it em to items 9A and
11C) (Kristi Sonntag, Community and Human Services Director)
Meeting Date: 05/24/2022
Prepared by:
Title: Manager - Federal/State Grants Operation – Community & Human Services
Name: Kristi Sonntag
05/13/2022 6:26 PM
Submitted by:
Title: Manager - Federal/State Grants Operation – Community & Human Services
Name: Kristi Sonntag
05/13/2022 6:26 PM
Approved By:
Review:
Community & Human Services Kristi Sonntag CHS Review Completed 05/13/2022 6:26 PM
Operations & Veteran Services Kimberley Grant Additional Reviewer Completed 05/16/2022 9:27 AM
Community & Human Services Maggie Lopez Additional Reviewer Completed 05/18/2022 1:10 PM
Public Services Department MaryJo Brock PSD Level 1 Reviewer Skipped 05/18/2022 1:36 PM
Public Services Department Tanya Williams PSD Department Head Review Completed 05/18/2022 2:06 PM
Grants Erica Robinson Level 2 Grants Review Completed 05/18/2022 3:03 PM
County Attorney's Office Derek D. Perry Level 2 Attorney Review Completed 05/18/2022 3:11 PM
Office of Management and Budget Debra Windsor Level 3 OMB Gatekeeper Review Completed 05/18/2022 3:13 PM
County Attorney's Office Jeffrey A. Klatzkow Level 3 County Attorney's Office Review Completed 05/18/2022 3:25 PM
Growth Management Operations Support Christopher Johnson Additional Reviewer Completed 05/18/2022 3:34 PM
Grants Therese Stanley Additional Reviewer Completed 05/18/2022 3:42 PM
County Manager's Office Dan Rodriguez Level 4 County Manager Review Completed 05/18/2022 4:35 PM
Board of County Commissioners Geoffrey Willig Meeting Pending 05/24/2022 9:00 AM
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