Department
Senior Services
Requested Action
title
Request approval to amend the memorandum of understanding with Friends of Benson, Inc., a non-profit organization that supports multipurpose and adult day programming through fundraising efforts; authorize the Chairman or any other duly authorized official to execute the amended memorandum of understanding; and authorize the County Attorney to approve the amended memorandum as to form and make any necessary modifications thereto prior to execution.
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Requirement for Board Action
O.C.G.A. § 36-10-1 requires that all official contracts entered into by the County governing authority with other persons on behalf of the County shall be in writing and entered on its minutes.
Strategic Priority Area related to this item
Health and Human Services
Commission Districts Affected
All Districts ☒
District 1 ☐
District 2 ☐
District 3 ☐
District 4 ☐
District 5 ☐
District 6 ☐
Is this a purchasing item?
No
Summary & Background
The partnership between Fulton County and the Friends of the Dorothy C. Benson Senior Multipurpose Complex, Inc. (“Friends of Benson”). Fulton County, through its Department of Senior Services, manages the Benson Senior Facility, which provides wellness, education, nutrition, and recreation programs for adults aged 55 and older. Friends of Benson plays a key role in supporting these services by raising funds and providing resources to enhance programming for senior participants.
Originally established on May 15, 2018, and renewed in December 2023, the MOU outlined collaborative responsibilities, including facility rentals, fundraising, fund disbursement, and reporting. Section (1) of the MOU provides that variations and modifications of this MOU, or waivers of its provisions, will not be valid unless they are reduced to writing, signed by the parties’ duly authorized representatives, and approved by the Board of Commissioners. The requested amendments to the Friends of Benson MOU would remove the management of facility rentals from the Friends of Benson and transfer full rental management responsibilities to the Fulton County Department of Senior Services. Accordingly, all references to Friends of Benson’s rental authority have been removed, and Exhibit D, the Facility Rental Application and Agreement, has been stricken. All other provisions of the MOU remain in effect.
Scope of Work: The Benson Senior Facility provides services in the areas of wellness, fitness, socialization, nutrition, transportation, education and recreational activities for seniors over the age of 55 to age in place. The Friends of Benson support the recreational, intellectual, social, physical and health needs of senior citizens, primarily age 55 and over, and thereby enhance and extend the lives of senior citizens who participate in the programs by providing financial and other support through fundraising and other supporting activities. Amending the current Friends of Benson MOU to exclude rentals will help strengthen and clarify each partner’s role and expectations.
Community Impact: The overall impact is Countywide, insuring that partnering with the Friends of organizations to enhance programming is in the best interests of the senior citizens in Fulton County.
Department Recommendation: Department recommends approval.
Project Implications: No Implications.
Community Issues/Concerns: No Community Issues.
Department Issues/Concerns: No Issues/Concerns.
Fiscal Impact / Funding Source
Funding Line 1:
Fiscally Neutral