During the work session, the City Council heard an informal report concerning a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the City of Fort Worth and the Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT) for educational and volunteer programs at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden (FWBG).
This is a continuation of the Council’s acceptance of the Fort Worth Botanic Garden Strategic Plan from EMD Consulting Group in November of 2016.
Phase IA of the plan is compete and IB is currently in progress. Phase II is set to be launched in October and will include:
*Exploring the establishment of or partnership with a non-profit entity for fundraising and membership.
*Allocating existing funds identified in Phase IB to the non-profit.
Key terms of the MOU include:
*External evaluation of both the education and volunteer programs and needs of both organizations.
*Developing a strategic and operational plan, including oversight of program operations, implementation, and quality control.
*Developing a co-brand for education and volunteers with marketing to promote brand awareness.
*BRIT will have the responsibility to administer the education and volunteer programs, including staffing.
*As part of the fiscal year 2018 (FY2018) budget process, the City will transfer existing funds ($191,000.00) in the Botanic Garden special revenue fund to BRIT.
*Three filled authorized positions assigned to the education program at the FWBG will be eliminated, though efforts will be made to reassign.