For two decades, the City of Savannah has served as fiscal agent for the receipt and administration of federal workforce funds to provide workforce development and employer services in ten counties (Bryan, Bulloch, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, McIntosh and Screven).

As fiscal agent, CEO and administrative entity, the City assumes financial risk and liability for program funds and City responsibilities impact the Mayor and Aldermen and five City departments: Finance, Management and Budget, Purchasing, Human Services/WorkSource Coastal and Information Technology. Duties include: City Council approval of all contracts and awards as pre-approved by the workforce board; management of grant-funded administrative staff; administrative support to the workforce board; conduct of all financial transactions; maintenance and audit of fiscal records; procurement activities; contract awards and management; oversight of county workforce centers, monitoring contracts and services in each county, ensuring regulatory compliance, and completing all state and federal reporting. Most recently, the City’s IT Department became responsible for the set-up and ongoing travel and maintenance of computer technology in 9 of 10 counties.

Initially, in what was predominantly a rural multi-county region, the City of Savannah was the most viable governmental jurisdiction with the size and capacity to perform the financial and regulatory responsibilities required to administer the grant funds. However, with the increased organizational and technological capacity of cities, counties and regional commissions, it is no longer a necessity for the City of Savannah to retain this role, as multiple options now exist.

If approved, the City of Savannah will need to notify the CWDB of its intent to end fiscal agent responsibilities effective December 31, 2019 and work with the CWDB to transition functions to a new service provider.

Approval