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Home My WebLink About13137RESOLUTION NO. 13137 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PAYMENT FROM THE COUNCIL CONTINGENCIES ACCOUNT IN THE 2014 GENERAL FUND BUDGET TO THE PUEBLO COUNTY UNITED WAY IN THE AMOUNT OF $500 TO ASSIST WITH PRINTING EXPENSES FOR THE 2015 PUEBLO VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (VITA) BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PUEBLO, that: SECTION 1. Payment in the amount of $500 from the Council Contingencies Account in the 2014 General Fund Budget is authorized to be paid to the Pueblo County United Way to assist with printing expenses for the 2015 Pueblo Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA). SECTION 2. The officers and staff of the City are directed and authorized to perform any and all acts consistent with the intent of this Resolution to effectuate the policies and procedures described herein. SECTION 3. This Resolution shall become effective upon passage and approval. INTRODUCED: December 22, 2014 BY: Ed Brown City Clerk’s Office Item # M-7 Background Paper for Proposed RESOLUTION COUNCIL MEETING DATE: December 22, 2014 TO: Council President Stephen G. Nawrocki and Members of City Council CC: Sam Azad, City Manager VIA: Gina Dutcher, City Clerk FROM: Council Member Chris Nicoll SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PAYMENT FROM THE COUNCIL CONTINGENCIES ACCOUNT IN THE 2014 GENERAL FUND BUDGET TO THE PUEBLO COUNTY UNITED WAY IN THE AMOUNT OF $500 TO ASSIST WITH PRINTING EXPENSES FOR THE 2015 PUEBLO VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (VITA) SUMMARY: Attached for consideration is a letter from the Pueblo County United Way requesting assistance with brochure printing expenses associated with the 2015 Pueblo Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA). PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION: No previous action. BACKGROUND: The Pueblo Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) is an IRS program that provides free tax preparation and filing for low income taxpayers that meet certain criteria. In addition, VITA works to ensure everyone in the community receives all of the tax credits and deductions for which they are eligible. Services in 2015 will be provided at five sites in various geographic locations with 64 total sessions available, not including any future special events. In 2014, the VITA program processed 1,020 income tax forms and saved participating taxpayers a combined amount of more than $100,000 in preparation fees. Monetary returns to the city and county through tax refunds, tax credits, and savings of preparation fees totaled $1,281,521. These savings went back into the community through sales of durable goods. Council Member Chris Nicoll is requesting $500 to assist with brochure printing expenses for the 2015 Pueblo Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA). FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: Funds in the amount of $500 would be paid from the Council Contingencies Account in the 2014 General Fund Budget to the Pueblo County United Way. BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: Not Applicable. STAKEHOLDER PROCESS: Not Applicable. ALTERNATIVES: City Council could choose not to authorize funding for this program. RECOMMENDATION: This Resolution is at the request of Council Member Chris Nicoll. Attachments: Attached is a letter requesting assistance with brochure printing expenses for the 2015 Pueblo Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA). DATEBALANCE IN 2014 CONTINGENCIES ACCOUNTDISTRICT 1DISTRICT 2DISTRICT 3DISTRICT 4AT LARGECREDITBALANCE Beginning Balance$ 11,429.00 $ 11,429.00 $ 11,429.00 $ 11,429.00 $ 34,284.00 $ 80,000.00 1/13/2014Adopt A Highway Maintenance Corporation Monthly Fees$ 942.86 $ 942.86 $ 942.86 $ 942.86 $ 2,828.56 $ 73,400.00 Colorado Municipal League Dues $ 647.00 $ 647.00 $ 647.00 $ 647.00 1/13/2014$ 1,938.00 $ 68,874.00 Reimbursement for Postage For EPA Superfund Meeting $ 212.98 1/13/2014$ 68,661.02 1/13/2014Boys & Girls Clubs of Pueblo County Dinner Sponsorship$ 1,000.00 $ 67,661.02 2/10/2014Walking Stick Golf Course for Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce$ 80.00$ 67,581.02 3/24/2014Juneteenth Celebration "2014"$ 2,000.00 $ 65,581.02 3/24/2014Colorado State Fair Fiesta Committee--2014 Scholarship Showcase$ 500.00 $ 65,081.02 3/24/2014American Medical Response Safety Jam$ 500.00 $ 500.00 $ 500.00 $ 500.00 $ 63,081.02 4/14/2014Home of Heroes Golf Tournament$ 200.00 $ 200.00 $ 200.00 $ 200.00 $ 600.00 $ 61,681.02 4/14/2014El Camino Homeowners' Association Reimbursement for Roll Offs$ 672.95 $ 61,008.07 4/28/2014Pueblo Choral Society, Inc.$ 200.00 $ 60,808.07 4/28/2014G.R. Marolt & Associates, L.L.C.--Memorial Bench for Jacqueline Solano$ 1,400.00 $ 59,408.07 4/28/2014Bessemer Historical Society--Weatherization of 215 Canal Street$ 500.00 $ 58,908.07 4/28/2014LULAC--Cesar Chavez Luncheon$ 500.00 $ 58,408.07 4/28/2014Creative Outdoor Advertising--Bessemer Clean Up Event$ 200.00 $ 58,208.07 5/12/2014Chavez Huerta Senior Scholarship Dinner$ 1,000.00 $ 57,208.07 5/12/2014Fire Explorer National Fire & Emergency Services Conference$ 214.29 $ 214.29 $ 214.29 $ 214.29 $ 642.84 $ 55,708.07 5/27/2014Pueblo Chieftain--Advertisements for Town Hall Meetings$ 265.00 $ 265.00 $ 265.00 $ 265.00 $ 54,648.07 6/9/2014NeighborWorks of Pueblo Celebration of HOME Dinner$ 500.00 $ 54,148.07 6/9/2014HARP Foundation 4th of July Celebration fireworks show$ 6,000.00 $ 48,148.07 6/9/2014Bessemer Historical Society -- Free Science Saturdays$ 500.00 $ 500.00 $ 500.00 $ 46,648.07 6/9/201411th Annual Mama's Fun Day in the Park$ 250.00 $ 250.00 $ 250.00 $ 45,898.07 6/23/2014Air Force Association's 4th Annual Luau at Rock Canyon Lake$ 500.00 $ 45,398.07 6/23/2014Mile High Youth Corps$ 5,850.00 $ 39,548.07 6/23/20148th Annual Summer Community Clean-up banners$ 200.00 $ 39,348.07 6/23/2014Posada's Annual Community Picnic and Take Care Fair$ 250.00 $ 250.00 $ 250.00 $ 38,598.07 7/14/2014Pueblo Chieftain--Advertisement for 5/20 Town Hall Meeting$ 600.00 $ 37,998.07 9/22/2014Fountain Creek Watershed District's Creek Week Cleanup$ 500.00 $ 37,498.07 9/22/2014Latino Chamber of Commerce - Dues Shortfall$ 1,000.00 $ 36,498.07 9/22/2014Nature and Raptor Center of Pueblo - Maintenance$ 10,000.00 $ 26,498.07 10/14/2014HARP Foundation - Flag pole for Union Avenue bridge$ 1,709.85 $ 2,050.15 $ 22,738.07 10/14/2014Chamber of Commerce - Veteran's Day Parade Sponsorship$ 500.00 $ 22,238.07 10/14/2014Project Adelante Phase II - CSU-Pueblo / Family Nation$ 750.00 $ 750.00 $ 500.00 $ 2,000.00 $ 18,238.07 10/14/2014Nature and Raptor Center of Pueblo - Nature Center Mural by Ivy Carter$ 1,500.00 $ 16,738.07 10/14/2014Human Relations Commission - HRC Breakfast$ 500.00 $ 16,238.07 10/14/2014Pueblo Poverty Foundation Christmas Event Sponsorship$ 1,000.00 $ 1,750.00 $ 1,000.00 $ 12,488.07 10/27/2014GOAL Academy Sponsorship of GOAL 's' Speak Program$ 200.00 $ 300.00 $ 11,988.07 10/27/2014Latino Chamber of Commerce - Gutierrez USHCC Convention Trip$ 1,220.00 $ 10,768.07 11/10/2014Copy(s) in a Flash, Inc. - 2014 Peace For The Holidays Gun Exchange Program$ 450.00 $ 10,318.07 11/24/2014Pueblo County Historical Society - City Park Gate Restoration$ 636.90 $ 9,681.17 12/8/2014El Camino Homeowners Organization - Re-landscaping front Encino & Hwy 78 entrance of El Camino$ 1,500.00 $ 8,181.17 12/8/2014Mama's 10th Annual Christmas Stocking Giveaway-Brotherhood/Sisterhood of Bikers$ 500.00 $ 7,681.17 12/22/2014United Way VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program) printing costs$ 500.00 $ 7,181.17 12/22/2014Bessemer Historical Society CF&I Documentary$ 5,000.00 $ 2,181.17 $ -$ 809.85 $ -$ 216.87 $ 1,154.45 United Way of Pueblo County Phone: 719-583-4455 PO Box 11566 Fax: 719-583-4456 Pueblo, CO 81001-0566 December 2014 Dear Ms. Eickelman, As part of our commitment to addressing key community issues, United Way is developing strategies to positively impact the financial stability of our citizens. One very important initiative is the Pueblo Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA). VITA is an IRS program that provides free tax preparation and filing for low income taxpayers, who meet the annual income cap of $52,000 or below per household. In addition to providing free tax preparation, VITA works to ensure everyone in the community receives all of the tax credits and deductions for which they are eligible. United Way of Pueblo County was pleased to begin oversight of this program in 2014, thanks to a grant from Pueblo City and Pueblo County governments, via the Community Services Advisory (CSAC) Committee. We look forward to continuing this valuable community service into 2015. The program has proven to be a success. In 2014, the Pueblo VITA program processed 1,020 income tax forms and saved those taxpayers a combined amount of more than $100K in preparation fees. Monetary returns to the city and county through tax refunds, tax credits and savings of payments for private preparation fees totaled $1,281,521! These savings went back into the community through sales of durable goods, making the program a win-win situation for the taxpayer and Pueblo city and county. In order to ensure this program is a success, we look to you to partner with us in bringing financial sustainability to our community. As such, we ask you to consider serving as a sponsor for our 2015 VITA brochure. For a $500 contribution that will underwrite our printing costs, we will feature your logo on 5,000 color VITA brochures and will include your logo on our six foot, four-color banner displayed at each tax site (when open) throughout the tax season. We will have 5 sites at various geographic sites, with 64 total sessions available, not including any future special events which are pending. Please feel free to contact Andrea at United Way at 583-4455 if you have any questions or are interested in participating. Checks may be made payable to United Way of Pueblo County, but please indicate VITA Program as the recipient of the funds. Thank you! Sincerely, Andrea Aragon President/CEO Our mission is to develop donor resources to enhance the quality of life for the people of Pueblo County.