AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Consider approval of Resolution 2025-40R, amending a funding agreement with Blanco River Regional Recovery Team (BR3T) allowing for American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to be applied toward administration of a rental assistance program for residents of the City of San Marcos negatively affected by COVID-19 increasing the amount from $115,000.00 to a not to exceed amount of $250,000.00 over a two-year term with an option to extend; authorizing the City Manager, or her designee, to execute the appropriate documents to implement the amendment on behalf of the city; and declaring an effective date.
Body
Meeting date: March 4, 2025
Department: City Manager’s Office
Amount & Source of Funding
Funds Required: $135,000
Account Number: 12073326-56556
Funds Available: $28,388.55
Account Name: ARP-EC 2.2-DEV05-2021 (BR3T Rental Assistance)
Fiscal Note:
Prior Council Action: City Council approved the agreement with BR3T on December 3, 2024 in the amount of $115,000 from American Rescue Plan Act funding. Council provided direction at the February 18, 2025 Council Work Session to reallocate an additional $28,388.55 toward this agreement as well as bringing back an amendment with a not to exceed amount.
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Background Information:
City Council approved a funding agreement in the amount of $115,000.00 with Blanco River
Regional Recovery Team (BR3T) to administer a rent and utility assistance program for residents. This program is less restrictive than their existing programs and includes the following modified guidelines:
• Use the existing Hays County rent assistance program income guidelines, capped at 80% area median income.
• Include the ability to pay the first month’s rent (this helps people who are moving from homelessness or motel into an apartment).
• Eliminate the requirement that the applicant has to demonstrate the ability to pay one month after receiving assistance.
• Eliminate the requirement for a budget meeting.
• Allow payment of 6-months rent.
BR3T has been successful in distributing almost the entirety of the initial amount of $115,000 in the first two months of 2025.
Approximately $28,500.00 in American Rescue Plan Act funding is available from other projects, and staff recommends that the majority of the available funding go toward the rental and utility assistance program City Council approved with BR3T last December. We recommend amending the contract with BR3T with a not to exceed amount of $250,000.00, and any additional funds from ARPA projects could be directed to that purpose without needing to bring this agreement back to Council each time.
Council Committee, Board/Commission Action:
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Alternatives:
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Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the Resolution.