Commissioners Court - Regular Session

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29.

Meeting Date:	01/29/2013
funding for LIRAP function for period 2-1-13 to 8-31-13
Submitted For:	Gary Boyd	Submitted By:	Gary Boyd, Parks
Department:	Parks
Agenda Category:	Regular Agenda Items

Information

Agenda Item

Discuss and take appropriate action on funding for administrative functions of the Low Income Repair, Rehabilitation, and Replacement Assistance Program (LIRAP) for the period 2/1/13 through 9/1/13.

Background

The LIRAP program - aka AirCheck or DriveACleanMachine - program was significantly affected by actions of the 82nd Texas Legislature which withheld 87.5% of the dedicated funds collected by participating counties. The dedicated funds directed to Williamson County totaled $69,067.00 for each year of the biennium. Of this amount, 10%, or a total of $13,813.40 for the two years was allowed for administrative functions including salaries.

For the past two years the Williamson County LIRAP program has been operating on carryover administrative funds from prior years. On October 31 county staff met with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality staff about using early prior year administrative funds. These prior year administrative funds would have been sufficient to fund administrative functions for a continued period. Such funding would have allowed an opportunity to assess the actions of the 83rd Legislature in restoring some or all LIRAP funding. County staff understood that prior year administrative funds could be used. On January 15, notice was received that use of the requested prior year funds was not going to be allowed. Administrative funds will therefore be exhausted on January 31.

Current year and prior year program funds (i.e., non-administrative funds) are $856,927.77. A summary of the funds status is a part of the first attachment for this agenda item.

The requested action is to fund the administrative budget for the LIRAP to September 1, 2013. This funding will allow time to 1) assess and review actions of the 83rd Legislature on funding levels for the LIRAP program, 2) to allow for continued operations and use of program funds during this time, 3) provide for a review of the ability to continue the program under proposed future funding levels, and/or 4) provide time to develop a strategy for exit of the program.

An administrative budget outlining the funding request for the period is attached.

A program overview sheet is attached.

Fiscal Impact

From/To	Acct No.	Description	Amount

Attachments
LIRAP fund status and Budget request
Data and discussion sheet for LIRAP program

Form Review

Inbox	Reviewed By	Date
County Judge Exec Asst.	Wendy Coco	01/24/2013 03:19 PM
Form Started By: Gary Boyd		Started On: 01/23/2013 11:40 AM
Final Approval Date: 01/24/2013