Title
Resolution to Amend the Fiscal Year 2024 Council Approved Budget to Accept and Appropriate the FY24 Staffing Recognition Grant Awarded by Virginia 911 Services Board
Purpose
PURPOSE/BACKGROUND:
The Virginia 911 Services Board has allocated one-time funding, in the form of a grant, to address retention and recruiting for all Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) in the State. This funding requires a locality match of 7.65% of bonus to cover the employer component of Payroll Tax. This grant allows the City to provide a one time bonus payment of $2,500.00 for all of its full time Telecommunicators and a $1,250.00 for all of its part-time Telecommunicators. Funds are allocated for both filled and vacant positions in the PSAP. The funds allocated for vacant positions will be utilized as a recruiting incentive to fill those positions. New employees will receive a signing bonus. This is a one-time program.
Discussion:
The grant will fund a combination of retention and/or recruiting bonuses in a state sponsored effort to reduce the incredible challenges associated with retaining and recruiting qualified personnel to work in 911 Centers. This is a one-time allocation from the Virginia 911 Services Board to attempt to improve personnel retention and recruiting.
Impact:
The City has been awarded $135,000 in grant funds from the Virginia 911 Services Board. The City is responsible for a local cash match $10,327.50 to cover the 7.65% Employer portion of the Payroll Taxes associated with bonus payments.
Recommendation:
Rec
APPROVE
Body
WHEREAS, the Virginia 911 Services Board has awarded the FY24 Staffing Recognition Grant in the amount of $135,000;
WHEREAS, the FY24 Staffing Recognition Grant award requires a local cash match of $10,327.50 to cover related Employer Payroll Taxes;
WHEREAS, the combined funds of the FY24 Staffing Recognition Grant award and the required local cash match will be used by the Hampton 911 Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) to fund recognition bonuses for full and part time Telecommunicators; and
WHEREAS, the grant award is for the period of September 14, 2023 through June 30, 2024.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Hampton, Virginia, hereby amends its Fiscal Year 2024 Council Approved Budget to accept and appropriate the FY24 Staffing Recognition Grant award in the amount of $135,000, and any supplemental funding, from the Virginia 911 Services Board to the Grant Fund; and approve matching funds in the amount of $10,327.50 from the General Fund's Retirement and Employee Benefits department, to be utilized to provide staff recognition bonuses to full and part time Telecommunicators.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council authorizes the City Manager, or her designee, to take any and all actions necessary to implement this grant award.