Grants
Using Grants to Support Operational and Capital Needs
Pasco County relies on several sources of grant funding from various Federal and State agencies to support the Strategic Plan, further core County functions, or provide for activities and assets that are in the best interest of the County and its residents. In addition to the grants awarded to multiple departments under the Board of County Commissioners (BCC), many of the Constitutionals and Judicial offices benefit from grants to provide additional services. Some of the Constitutional and Judicial grants are awarded directly to their respective organization in addition to those grant funds that are awarded to the County on their behalf.
Pasco County uses grant funding to provide a long list of services for our community, such as:
- Provide Bus Transportation (PCPT) Services
- Enhance Public Safety Programs
- Drug Court
- Feed the Elderly
- Elderly Emergency Energy Assistance
- Build Road, Sidewalk and Bicycle Trails
- Provide Low-Income Housing
- Community Redevelopment
- Emergency Management Planning and Mitigation
- Construct Stormwater Improvements
- Enhance Park & Library Programs
- Promote Tourism
- Resiliency and Planning
- RESTORE Act
Grant Budgeting
The grant funding that is reflected in Pasco County’s Budget are for those grants that have already been awarded or are anticipated to be granted to Pasco County. Grant funding reflected in the budget does not include grants that are competitively evaluated for award and/or unanticipated funds received during the fiscal year. Examples of unanticipated funds are midyear grant awards, changes to formula funding allocations, or amendments to existing awards. Some grants will also generate additional revenue to allow the grant to continue services provided based on program income generated. This revenue is recognized as available funds after the program income has been generated.
Grant Oversight and Management
Grant management is monitored through internal compliance reviews, County external audits and funding agency audits/desk reviews to ensure that all funds are properly managed, and any concerns of internal controls are addressed and corrected to ensure the County meets all required Federal and State laws and regulations.
Small Investment Leverages a Large Return
Some grants awarded to Pasco County cover 100% of the cost of the program or services the department/agency wishes to deliver. Conversely, some grants have a matching requirement in cash match and/or in-kind services provided by the County in staff time for operation and oversight that is already programed into their budget. Matching cash requirements typically tend to vary from 50% to as little as 10% depending on the agency and program requirements. As outlined in the table, Pasco County is budgeting to receive approximately $47,018,923 in grant funding to provide programs and services to our citizens. The total of anticipated County Cash Match is only $4,692,891. Said simply, for every 9.0 cents Pasco County spends on grants, it receives 91.0 cents. This equates to approximately 91.0% of free money for our community that is leveraged to provide services without having to put an additional tax burden on our residents and businesses.