Kent County Fiscal Year Changes

In 2023, Kent County will be moving to a new fiscal calendar October - September. Fiscal year 2023 will begin on January 1, 2023, and end on September 30, 2023, running for nine months. Fiscal year 2024 will begin on October 1, 2023, and end on September 30, 2023, completing the transition to the new 12-month fiscal year.  

Because of the County’s fiscal year change, approvals by the Kent County Board of Commissioners will happen differently than in past years, Ready by Five service provider agreement contracts will be adjusted to reflect those changes, as well. This includes: 

  • All current contracts that will end on Dec 31, 2023 
  • All upcoming contracts that will begin on January 2, 2023

For continuing contracts already in place, First Steps Kent will ensure funding is available for the full Year 2 period of January 1 – December 31, 2023. However, this will require an amendment to these current contracts to reflect the new County fiscal year structure. The amendment will show funds to be awarded as follows: 

  • Maximum Award for Contract Year 2 beginning January 1, 2023-September 30, 2023:  75% of Year 2 Award 
  • Maximum Award for Contract Year 2 beginning October 1, 2023-December 31, 2023: 25% of Year 2 Award 

Funds for the first portion of Year 2 will be approved by the Kent County Board of Commissioners sometime in the Fall of 2022. The second portion of funds will be approved in July 2023.  

Additionally, beginning January 1, 2023, all upcoming contracts will be awarded for 9-12 months at a time, depending on the scope of work. This will ensure funds are available to be fully spent down by the end of the millage term in 2024.

Please look for more information in the upcoming months about this transition. First Steps Kent will post a Q&A to ensure information is shared with all service partners.

How this affects future funding cycles:

The change in fiscal year dates will alter the RFP process beginning in 2023. First Steps Kent anticipates the 2023 RFP schedule as follows:

  • The pre-conference will happen in early March with a deadline to submit proposals in mid-April.
  • The earlier RFP process will ensure that the Ready by Five Resident Proposal Review Board has adequate time to review and determine recommendations for funding before the end of May.
  • Approval by the Kent County Board of Commissioners will happen over the summer with contracts going into effect on January 1, 2024.

Beginning January 1, 2023, all upcoming contracts will be awarded for 9-12 months at a time, depending on the scope of work. This will ensure funds are available to be fully spent down by the end of the millage term in 2024.

First Steps Kent is exploring a modified application process for programs that are well-established and meeting metrics set forth in the contract requesting continued funding. Any new programs will be required to submit a more complete proposal for the Ready by Five Resident Proposal Review Board to consider in upcoming rounds of funding.

Please look for more information in the upcoming months about this transition. First Steps Kent will post a Q&A for partners to ensure information is shared with all service partners.

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