Discussion and possible action to approve a budget amendment in the amount of $21,000 from the contingency fund to establish budget authority to collaborate with Arizona State University’s Marvin Andrews Fellowship Program.

This is a request for City Council to approve a budget transfer in the amount of $21,000 from the General Fund Contingency (1000-0300-570000) to the Human Resources Other Professional Services account (1000-0070-520099). The purpose of the payment is to participate in a Marvin Andrews internship.

The City continues to foster collaborative relationships with various institutions of higher learning in the Peoria area. Such arrangements help to provide unique career opportunities for well-educated students, while offering the City with high-level analysis and academic insight on various policy issues. With this in mind, the requested funding would be used to support mutually beneficial research programs for students. Programs such as the ASU Marvin Andrews Internship enable students studying public administration, political science, finance and other disciplines to receive "hands-on" training for an extended time. The students, often at the graduate level, can in turn provide more insightful research on key policy issues as Economic Development, Budget, Organizational Management, and Civic Engagement.

There are no previous Council actions on this request.  

Staff recommends that the Mayor and Council approve a budget amendment in the amount $21,000 to establish budget authority for a Marvin Andrews internship.

Upon approval, staff will execute a budget amendment in the amount of $21,000 from General Fund Contingency (1000-0300-570000) to the Human Resources Other Professional Services account (1000-0070-520099). Funding is available in the General Fund as one-time funds above the reserve requirements.