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Agenda 06/24/2025 Item #16D5 (Budget Amendment for FY25-26 Emergency Home Assistance Program Funding (Human Services Grant Fund 1837))6/24/2025 Item # 16.D.5 ID# 2025-2041 Executive Summary Recommendation to authorize the necessary Budget Amendment to reflect the estimated funding for the FY25- 26 Emergency Home Assistance Program in the amount of $110,453.60. (Fiscal Impact $110,453.60, Human Services Grant Fund 1837) OBJECTIVE: To provide home energy assistance aid to elders in the event of a home energy heating or cooling emergency; and support the Quality of Place focus area of the Collier County Strategic Plan by supporting access to health, wellness, and human services. CONSIDERATIONS: The Community and Human Services (CHS) Division’s Services for Seniors program has been providing support to Collier County’s frail and elderly citizens for over thirty (30) years through various grant programs. The grants are funded by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA) through the Area Agency on Aging of Southwest Florida, Inc.(AAASWFL). These grant-funded services enable clients to remain in their homes and live with independence and dignity. The Collier County Services for Seniors Program is responsible for responding to seniors’ needs and managing the spending authority for the Federal and State Funded Services for Seniors Programs. Collier County, as the Lead Agency, manages the spending authority for the Emergency Home Energy Assistance Program (EHEAP). EHEAP provides crisis assistance to eligible low-income households with at least one (1) household member aged sixty (60) or older experiencing a heating or cooling emergency. The program allows for payments to utility companies and fuel suppliers as well as the repair or replacement of existing heating or cooling equipment, for the payment of deposits, late fees, disconnect and reconnection fees with Florida Power and Light (FPL) and Lee County Electric Cooperative (LCEC). The current service agreement for EHEAP 203.21 was approved “after-the-fact” at the Board of County Commissioners (Board) meeting on June 22, 2021 (Agenda Item #16. D.10) and is set to expire on June 30, 2025. It is necessary for staff to provide an estimated budget to allow service to go uninterrupted for those persons enrolled in the EHEAP program. Once the final agreement is received, staff will bring the final budget and agreement back for approval at a future Board meeting. The following table provides a detailed breakdown of the estimated amount by the grant activity: Program Component Current FY24 Budget Estimated FY25 Budget EHEAP ADMINISTRATION $9,363.16 $9,363.16 EHEAP OUTREACH $16,691.63 $16,691.63 EHEAP CRISIS ASSISTANCE $84,398.81 $84,398.81 TOTAL $110,453.60 $110,453.60 This item is consistent with the Collier County strategic plan objective by supporting access to health, wellness, and human services. FISCAL IMPACT: Total program funds are estimated at $110,453.60. A Budget Amendment is required to recognize the estimated grant revenue of $110,453.60 for the FY2025-2026 EHEAP grant program funded by DOEA. Funding will reside within Human Services Grant Fund (1837), Project 33867. There is no match required for this grant program. GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: There is no Growth Management impact associated with this Item. LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: This item has been reviewed by the County Attorney, raises no legal issues and requires a majority vote for approval. -JAK Page 2391 of 3580 6/24/2025 Item # 16.D.5 ID# 2025-2041 RECOMMENDATIONS: To authorize the necessary Budget Amendment to reflect the estimated funding for the FY25- 26 Emergency Home Energy Assistance Program in the amount of $110,453.60. (Fiscal Impact $110,453.60, Human Services Grant Fund 1837) PREPARED BY: Monica Diaz, Accountant II, Community and Human Services Division ATTACHMENTS: 1. EHEAP FY25-26 Est Funding BA final Page 2392 of 3580