SUBSTITUTE
Public Hearing: YES ☐ NO ☒ Department: Board of Commissioners - District 6
SUBJECT:
Title
Commission District(s): DeKalb Super District 6
To Approve An Allocation In an Amount Up To $50,000.00 Split From the 2024 District 6 Reserve for Appropriation to FUSE Corps. (“FUSE”) to Continue the Analysis/Study Associated with DeKalb Environmental Justice Initiatives That Will Include Recommendations, Policies and Plans, On Climate Initiatives, Including, but Not Limited to, Energy Efficiency, Electrification and County-Wide Composting Services, and Assistance with Identifying Federal Funding Opportunities to Execute Sustainability Projects that Best Serve and Improve DeKalb County.
Body
Information Contact: Commissioner Edward C. “Ted” Terry
Phone Number: 404-371-4909
PURPOSE:
In 2023, 2023-0557 was approved to supports a D6 FUSE fellowship with expertise and skill required to drive climate initiatives forward, assist with bridging communities where environmental injustice have impacted most, and assist with identifying federal funding opportunities Justice 40 funding. This agenda item requests an extension for this FUSE fellowship to support this initiative through 2024 and 2025.
NEED/IMPACT:
DeKalb County Government recognizes the importance of addressing climate change, promoting sustainability, and mitigating environmental justice. Multiple studies have shown the importance of improving climate resiliency and reducing carbon emissions to improve public health, especially in regard to respiratory illnesses like asthma. Further, studies have shown it is not enough to simply reduce carbon emissions to improve public health and prevent the worst effects of climate change, but we must now reverse damage that has been done through regenerative solutions such as composting. DeKalb County has opportunities to reduce its carbon footprint, protect and preserve existing natural areas, improve the way biodegradable waste is managed, and create new opportunities for climate resilience.
In 2023 District 6 participated in this FUSE program, a national nonprofit, founded in 2011 by a group of leaders from the public, private, and social sectors. One of its’ core focus areas is climate and sustainability. District 6 has been invited to continue this Fellowship and with additional FUSE funding this next 12 months is reduced by $30,000. The focus of this study will continue community collaboration to supporting DeKalb County’s efforts in improving energy efficiency, electrification and county-wide composting strategies, and bridging communities where environmental injustice have impacted most. District 6 has been invited to participate again as we work on our continued effort to evaluate, build, recommend, and move forward efforts to address, stabilize, and improve our environmental sustainability.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This is a 2-year funding request.
FY 2024: Increase appropriations for the following account by the amount indicated below: District 6 Reserves
Non-Departmental - Unincorporated Fund - Other Miscellaneous Payments (09130.573099.272.0000.0000) -
$25,000.00
Decrease appropriations for the following account by the amount indicated below:
Non-Departmental - Unincorporated Fund - Reserve for Appropriation (09130.579002.272.0000.0000) -
$25,000.00
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommended Action
To approve the 2024 allocation of $25,000.00 from the D6 Reserve for Appropriations to continue the FUSE fellowship and authorize the Chief Executive Officer or his designee to execute all necessary documents.