TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: Approve the Application to the Fiscal Year 2025 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program, in the Amount of $1,857,379.57, to Hire Nine Full-Time Firefighters, and Authorize the City Manager or the Mayor, as Applicable Under the City Charter, to Execute all Funding Documents After Legal Review, Should the Grant be Awarded to the City.
Recommended Action
Option 1: Approve the application to the Fiscal Year 2025 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant Program, in the amount of $1,857,379.57, to hire nine full-time firefighters, and authorize the City Manager or the Mayor, as applicable under the City Charter, to execute all funding documents after legal review, should the grant be awarded to the City.
City Commission Options
Option 1: Approve the application to the Fiscal Year 2025 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant Program, in the amount of $1,857,379.57, to hire nine full-time firefighters, and authorize the City Manager or the Mayor, as applicable under the City Charter, to execute all funding documents after legal review, should the grant be awarded to the City.
• Pros: These funds will provide the City with up to $1,857,379.57 in federal funding toward the hiring of nine full-time firefighters.
• Cons: Requires approximately $1.15 million in City matching funds over three years and ongoing City funding for the positions after the grant ends.
Option 2: Deny the application to the Fiscal Year 2025 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant Program in the amount of $1,857,379.57.
• Pros: The City would not incur the required match or future staffing costs associated with the grant.
• Cons: The City would not receive federal funding to hire nine full-time firefighters.
Background Information
The City of North Port has applied to the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Fiscal Year 2025 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program for $1,857,379.57 to assist in the hiring of nine full-time firefighters. The total estimated project cost is $3,011,966.91, with the City to provide the required cost-share over a three-year period.
The proposed project will increase frontline Fire Rescue staffing, improve emergency response capabilities, and support the City's growing demand for fire and emergency medical services.
The SAFER Grant Program provides competitive federal funding to help fire departments increase or maintain frontline staffing.
This is a reimbursable grant, meaning the City will spend eligible costs first and then request reimbursement from FEMA.
If awarded, the Grant Agreement will be reviewed by the City Attorney to ensure that it is legally correct as to form.
Strategic Plan
Safe Community
Financial Impact
If awarded, the City will be eligible for reimbursement of up to $1,857,379.57 in SAFER grant funds over a three-year period for the hiring of nine full-time firefighters. The required City match is $1,154,587.34 over the three-year grant period.
|
Year |
Grant Amount |
City Match Amount |
Total |
|
Year 1 |
$752,991.72 |
$250,997.25 |
$1,003,988.97 |
|
Year 2 |
$752,991.72 |
$250,997.25 |
$1,003,988.97 |
|
Year 3 |
$351,396.13 |
$652,592.84 |
$1,003,988.97 |
|
Total |
$1,857,379.57 |
$1,154,587.34 |
$3,011,966.91 |
The City match shall be funded according to a 50/50 split between the General Fund (001) and the Fire District Fund (110). If the grant is awarded, a budget amendment will be submitted for the match portion in fiscal year 2027, and funds will be budgeted for fiscal year 2028 and fiscal year 2029. Once the three-year grant period is complete, the City will be financially responsible for 100% of the cost of the nine full-time firefighter positions going forward.
Procurement
Not applicable.
Attachments
1. SAFER Application
Prepared by: Michael J. Davey, Ph.D., Grants Coordinator
Valerie Malingowski, CFM, CGMS, Grants Division Manager
Department Director: Kaitlyn Griffin, MPA, Performance & Accountability Officer