AGENDA DATE: 7/17/2024
TITLE:
Title
Review of Proposed Changes to the Outside Agency Funding Process
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Receive feedback on proposed modifications to the Agency Budget Review Team agency process for the Fiscal Year (FY) 26 annual budget.
ITEM TYPE: Regular Information Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Dimock, Bowman
PRESENTER (S): Kaki Dimock, Andy Bowman
LEGAL REVIEW: Not Required
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: Albemarle County is invested in supporting the programs and operations of nonprofit community agencies that seek to improve life for Albemarle County community members. These agencies seek funding through the various non-profit processes, including the Agency Budget Review Team process. Applications are reviewed and evaluated by staff and/or community volunteer teams and funding recommendations are provided to the Department of Finance and Budget for consideration. In a continuous improvement effort, staff evaluate this process annually through feedback from nonprofit applicants and volunteer reviewers, debriefing sessions with staff, and consideration of best practice activities in other jurisdictions. In the Fiscal Year 2025 process, area nonprofits requested $4,690,882, with $2,034,515 recommended for funding.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Safety and Well-being: Nurture a safe and healthy community
DISCUSSION: Staff from the Health & Human Services area and Department of Finance & Budget have determined the need for changes to the County funding process to better reflect best practices and the County’s human services needs. These changes would occur over two years beginning with the FY26 funding process. Initial improvements will include:
A. changing the name to ‘Albemarle County Human Services Funding Process’,
B. improving descriptions on the County website,
C. reviewing which agencies are included in the contractual obligations pool, and
D. applying a prioritization rubric to the recommendations process based on whether the agency contributes to a basic needs safety net or serves a vulnerable population.
E. applicants will be asked to submit an abbreviated application reporting on significant changes in programming, progress, number of county community members served in the current year and anticipated in the funding year.
Future changes will include a revised application process, tool, technical assistance, and more sophisticated online platform; and enhanced compliance reviews by County staff.
BUDGET IMPACT: Direction received from the Board will be incorporated into the FY 26 annual budget. Approval and appropriation of budgets after staff recommendations would continue to be determined by the Board in the annual budget process subject to total budget considerations including, but not limited to County mandates and obligations, investment in the Strategic Plan, and available revenues.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends the Board approve this updated framework to guide FY26 funding recommendations.
ATTACHMENTS: None