SUBJECT:
Title
Request Approval of the Marion County Standard Professional Services Agreement Emergency Solutions Grant LOTUS Marion Inc. (Budget Impact - Neutral; not to exceed $230,222.37)
Body
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INITIATOR: |
DEPARTMENT: |
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Cheryl Butler, Director |
Community Services |
DESCRIPTION/BACKGROUND:
On July 15, 2025, the Marion County Board of County Commissioners approved a three (3) year contract with the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) to distribute state and federal funds, administered through the Ocala/Marion Joint Office on Homelessness Continuum of Care (CoC) FL-514, to support local homeless service providers. Funding awarded under this contract is provided on a reimbursement basis for eligible expenses incurred by subrecipients in accordance with the grant requirements.
Total funding anticipated to Marion County:
• Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG): $242,339.34
• Challenge Grant: $800,664.84
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Grant: $31,574.33
• Total: $1,074,578.51
As part of the approved CoC plan, nonprofit organizations were invited to apply for funding for projects that address identified community priorities. LOTUS Marion, Inc., Marion County's new dual-certified provider of sexual assault and domestic violence services, applied for $230,222.37 in Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funding. The funding will support emergency shelter, homelessness prevention, rapid rehousing, and housing stabilization services for approximately 100 survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, stalking, and human trafficking in Marion County.
Subrecipients must spend and request reimbursement for at least 50% of the funds awarded by January 15, 2027. If this benchmark is not met, the County may review progress and reallocate unspent funds to another approved provider. The agreement runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, and has been awarded $230,222.37 in Emergency Solutions grant funds.
BUDGET/IMPACT:
Neutral; not to exceed $230,222.37.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Recommended action
Motion to approve and authorize the Chairman and Clerk to execute the agreement between Marion County and Lotus Marion Inc. to include all necessary documents associated with this agreement.