12 - Extension of the Families First Coronavirus Relief Act

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Current payroll shows 96 employees having utilized the FFCRA for a total of 5,270.25 hours. Note that we still have one more week in December being processed through payroll that is not reflected in these numbers. BUDGET: The original FFCRA was not funded by the Federal Government. Private industries were given the option of a tax credit, but public entities did not have an added revenue stream. The Federal Government then passed a large stimulus which resulted in the Coronavirus Relief Funding (CRF) that the City was allocated. This funding could be used to cover those expenses. As was discussed at the December 14, 2020 City Council Meeting, the City, working with its third party consultant, is working with the State (TDEM) to receive our entire allocation of approximately $1.4 million. The City has been tracking the number of hours used under the FFCRA so that we could know when the 80 hour cap was reached and sick leave would need to be applied. This will be discussed further at the January 25, 2021 City Council meeting, but the City can either reimburse itself for these hours using the CRF Program Funding, or run it through payroll. The City was under its FYI 9/20 budget, which means the budget was able to withstand the added pressure of the FFCRA hours. Nevertheless, there is still a financial impact now and in the future by these additional hours being given that may warrant using some of the CRF Program Funding to cover these expenses. At January 25th, the City Council will discuss whether to apply the CRF Program Funding towards these hours or not. Current payroll shows $88,395.23 having been spent towards FFCRA hours. Again, that excludes the final week in December which is being processed under current payroll. OPTIONS: 1. Whether or not to extend the FFCRA Program through March 31, 2021 (or some other date). 2. Whether or not this is simply an extension of the FFCRA such that any hours used in 2020 are no longer available, or if employees have a new bank of 80 hours. 3. Whether or not to make any approval of the FFCRA retroactive to January 1, 2021 or start it from tonight. 4. Whether or not to apply the CRF Program Funds to cover these hours, thus reimbursing the City for any FFCRA hours used. RECOMMENDATION: Recommendation is to extend the FFCRA Program through March 31, 2021, to be re-evaluated at that time, to make it retroactive to January 1, 2021, and to simply make it an extension and not a new bank of hours for hours already used.