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Committee advances amendment to emergency assistance master contract, authorizes up to $1.575 million
Summary
The committee moved R2025-0272 to full council under second reading suspension. The resolution would extend the emergency assistance master contract to Aug. 31, 2026, and add up to $1,575,000 in funds to support emergency assistance services tied to Children and Family Services.
The Health and Human Services and Aging Committee voted on Sept. 13, 2025, to move R2025-0272 to full council under second reading suspension. The resolution would amend a master contract for emergency assistance services administered through Children and Family Services, extend the contract period to Aug. 31, 2026, and authorize additional funds not to exceed $1,575,000, effective Sept. 1, 2025.
Marcos Cortez presented the amendment on behalf of Children and Family Services. He said emergency assistance includes clothing, food, furniture and basic appliances provided to families either already in the agency’s custody or at risk of becoming involved with the department. "These funds go to children in care in the form of clothing vouchers," said Cara Davis, who spoke for Children and Family Services. She added funds also "go towards reducing risk to families" by bridging short-term gaps (food, beds, cribs, refrigerators, stoves) to prevent unnecessary removals.
Committee members asked whether the program uses competitive procurement and how vendors were chosen; Cortez said the base contract was awarded through a competitive bid process and the same five providers generally perform the work. The committee also requested a breakdown of where funds have been allocated by community and whether any carryover remained; staff said they maintain a tracking database and would provide the information. The committee clarified that a line item showing $315,000 for AZ Furniture is administered through the master contract rather than as an automatic direct disbursement to the vendor.
Formal action in committee: Councilmember Sweeney moved the item and Councilmember Casselberry seconded (the minutes reflect voice approval: "aye"). The committee recorded the motion to send R2025-0272 to full council under second reading suspension.
What happens next: The resolution will appear on the full council docket for second reading suspension; staff committed to provide the requested allocation and community‑level data to committee members on request.
