City Council:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR
TO EXECUTE A FIRST CONTRACT AMENDMENT
WITH MERCY UNIVERSITY TO EXTEND THE
PERFORMANCE PERIOD OF THE MOUNT VERNON
FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT CENTER PROGRAM AND
TO INCORPORATE LEGACY PLANNING SERVICES
Whereas, the City of Mount Vernon, in partnership with Westchester County, established the Mount Vernon Financial Empowerment Center ("MVFEC") to provide free, high-quality financial counseling and empowerment services to City residents; and
Whereas, on or about February 2024, the City of Mount Vernon entered into a professional services agreement with Mercy University to operate the MVFEC for a two-year service period; and
Whereas, although the contract commenced in February 2024, the MVFEC officially launched services in December 2024 due to the time required for staff recruitment, onboarding, and training; and
Whereas, as a result of the delayed service launch, staffing and related expenditures were realized later than originally projected, resulting in sufficient funds remaining within the approved contract budget; and
Whereas, the City now seeks to extend the contract performance period with Mercy University through December 31, 2026, in order to allow for full program delivery and utilization of the originally approved funds, without requiring any additional funding from the City of Mount Vernon; and
Whereas, the City further seeks to amend the contract to incorporate Legacy Planning services into the MVFEC program, thereby expanding the scope of services available to residents to include asset protection and long-term financial planning; and
Whereas, the Legacy Planning services will be funded through Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) in new funding provided by the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund, and will not result in any additional financial obligation to the City; and
Whereas, the addition of Legacy Planning services will enhance the MVFEC's role as a compr...
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