Purpose of Updated Agreement:
The original agreement approved by the Court on August 28, 2023, was approved subject to final legal review and approval as final payment details were pending to be discussed with the County Auditor and WSB. Given the abbreviated schedule for the ICMA grant which funds this agreement, WSB proceeded to complete the report while the payment details were finalized. Given that the report has now been developed, this agreement seeks to authorize WSB to receive full payment upon submission of the report. The total funds disbursed to WSB will be split into a $20,000 payment upon submission of the report to the County and then a final $10,000 once the County has submitted the report to ICMA. The County's grant with ICMA stipulates that a final payment to the County will only be made once the County's closeout report has been submitted.
 
Original Background:
Economic Mobility describes the upward or downward movement in a person’s economic or social status throughout their lifetime and throughout generations. External circumstances surrounding an individual have a significant effect on the outcome on one’s own economic mobility status. In practice, this can be accomplished through direct and indirect influence on access to quality housing, education, and health services, to stable employment and safe and supportive neighborhoods, and to representative and responsive governance.

International City/County Management Association (ICMA)’s Economic Mobility and Opportunity (EMO) Cohort is a unique and rare networking opportunity for ICMA members to receive training, technical assistance, and funding to inform policies and effect conditions that promote overall well-being and upward mobility for their residents. This opportunity is made possible with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

ICMA selected ten (10) local governments demonstrating motivation and commitment to learn from one another and subject matter experts, to then gain practical tools and resources to apply within their community. The selected local governments will be eligible to receive a grant of up to $35,000, with no county match, for the implementation of an economic mobility assessment, planning, or engagement process as part of their participation in the cohort.

ICMA is pleased to have selected the County as one of the ten local governments to be a part of the cohort. The County is the recipient of $35,000, to implement an economic mobility assessment, planning, or engagement process.

The County Administration Department is seeking approval from the Commissioners Court to accept the subgrant award agreement.