Fiscal Note
The Resolution amends the 2013 City operating budget to appropriate $50,000 from the City's Fund Balance to the Community Development Division to fund additional youth employment programs and out-of-school activities. The budget for CDD will be amended as follows:
$50,000 GN01-54920-274000 Increase CDD Expenditures for Community Agency Contracts
Title
SUBSTITUTE: Amending the 2013 adopted City operating budget to appropriate $50,000 from the City's Fund Balance to the Community Development Division to support additional purchase of service contracts for the expansion of youth-oriented employment initiatives and other out-of-school- time programs.
Body
BACKGROUND:
The City currently supports a variety of organizations and programs focused on providing positive employment and other out-of-school-time opportunities for young persons Yet, despite this ongoing financial commitment, there is a continuing and growing need in the community to do more.
As such, The Common Council recently approved additional funding of $183,300 for youth-related employment programs (Legistar #29756, RES 13-00306, adopted 4/30/13), with funds derived from the City's receipt of unanticipated revenues.
Still, the demand for youth employment and out-of-school-time activities remains very high.
An opportunity for more City funding for youth programs has recently emerged in light of anticipated savings in Police overtime costs for the Spring Student Party (Mifflin Street). A successful party, from the City's perspective, is peaceful, safe and does not require a large Police presence. Historically, however, this has often not been the reality, so the City must anticipate and be prepared appropriately. In 2013, the City made a determined effort to mitigate both the potential negative consequences and Police costs associated with the Spring event. Thanks to many, these efforts were successful. The number of house parties and bad behavior were significantly reduced, so the Police Department was able to reduce the hours necessary to police the event, resulting in a potential reduction in overtime costs. Although aActual costs and potential savings for the event were about $50,000 less than the 2012 costs.will not be known for some time, tThis resolution appropriates $50,000 to the Community Development Division in support of additional, positive out-of-school-time programming and employment opportunities for youth. This funding will come from an application of the City's Fund Balance, recognizing that savings are anticipated due to the reduction in Police overtime costs.
In order to ensure programming activities are in place for the summer of 2013, fairly quick action is required by a number of parties. A process must be developed to solicit proposals from interested service providers that are currently under contract to provide such programming. Staff from the Community Development Division, working with the Community Services Committee, will consider such proposals and make recommendations to the Common Council at its June 4 meeting for the allocation of the additional funds.
WHEREAS, federal statistics indicate that the recession has affected youth more severely than any other demographic - recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics figures put youth unemployment rates above 50%; and
WHEREAS, unemployment rates for minority youth and those from low income families are even higher and are likely to persist as more adults seek part-time low-skill jobs traditionally occupied by teens; and
WHEREAS, it serves the best interests of Madison's youth and the City to offer young people opportunities to participate in meaningful and structured activities during times when they are not attending school; and
WHEREAS, community-based partners are currently engaged in efforts to enhance youth employment opportunities, improve academic success and generally improve the quality of life for these youth and their families; and
WHEREAS, the City of Madison currently contracts with more than a dozen organizations to support youth employment and other out-of-school-time programs through the Community Resources funding process;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Madison appropriate $50,000 to support additional youth employment and other out-of-school-time programs, with specific allocations subject to final approval by the Common Council; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the City operating budget be amended to appropriate $50,000 from the City's Fund Balance to the Community Development Division for additional funding for Community Agency Contracts related to youth employment and out-of-school-time activities.