Meeting Type: BCC Regular Meeting
Meeting Date: 6/1/2021
Item Status: New
From: Cian Harrison, Clerk/Treasurer
Submitted by: Katrina Taylor, Grants Coordinator
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ITEM TITLE
Title
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Eligible Uses of Funds
Body
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Discuss the establishment of an advisory committee and project recommendations based on the eligible uses of funds available under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
Within the categories of eligible uses, recipients have broad flexibility to decide how best to deploy funding to meet community needs. Use of Fiscal Recovery Funds is generally forward looking. The Rule permits funds to be used to cover costs incurred beginning on March 3, 2021, and must be obligated by December 31, 2024.
Goals of Funding:
• To support urgent COVID-19 response efforts to decrease spread of the virus and bring the pandemic under control.
• To replace lost public sector revenue to strengthen support for vital public services and help retain jobs.
• To support immediate economic stabilization for households and businesses.
• To address systemic public health and economic challenges that have contributed to the unequal impact of the pandemic on certain populations.
Funds may be used to:
• Support public health expenditures, by funding COVID-19 mitigation efforts, medical expenses, behavioral healthcare, and certain public health and safety staff.
• Address negative economic impacts caused by the public health emergency, including economic harms to workers, households, small businesses, impacted industries, and the public sector.
• Replace lost public sector revenue, using this funding to provide government services to the extent of the reduction in revenue experienced due to the pandemic.
• Provide premium pay for essential workers, offering additional support to those who have borne and will bear the greatest health risks because of their service in critical infrastructure sectors.
• Invest in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure, making necessary investments to improve access to clean drinking water, support vital wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, and to expand access to broadband internet.
End
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Previous Commission action/date: N/A
Background: Joe Davis III, Commission Chairman, signed the forms per the guidelines from the U.S. Department of the Treasury as the local government Chief Executive Officer and the documents were submitted electronically to the U.S. Department of the Treasury on May 18, 2021, by staff. This agreement was executed and submitted prior to Commission approval due to time constraints.
The U.S. Treasury document for Allocation for Counties shows an allocation for Baldwin County estimated at $43,360,588.00. The U.S. Treasury is required to send out the first portion of funding (equal to 50% of the recipient’s allocation) within 60 days of enactment, and the second portion (the remaining 50%) not earlier than one year after the first disbursement. The funds under this Agreement (award) shall remain available only through December 31, 2024.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Total cost of recommendation: TBD
Budget line item(s) to be used: TBD
If this is not a budgeted expenditure, does the recommendation create a need for funding? N/A
LEGAL IMPACT
Is legal review necessary for this staff recommendation and related documents?
N/A
Reviewed/approved by: N/A
Additional comments: N/A
ADVERTISING REQUIREMENTS
Is advertising required for this recommendation? N/A
If the proof of publication affidavit is not attached, list the reason: N/A
FOLLOW UP IMPLEMENTATION
For time-sensitive follow up, select deadline date for follow up: N/A
Individual(s) responsible for follow up: Cian Harrison, Sherry-Lea Bloodworth Botop
Action required (list contact persons/addresses if documents are to be mailed or emailed): N/A
Additional instructions/notes: N/A