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Update Regarding Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Spending Plan Through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and Discussion Regarding Use of Unobligated Funds
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BRIEF OVERVIEW
On March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) was signed into law and established the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund and Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund which together make up the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (“SLFRF”) program. This program is intended to provide support to state, territorial, local, and tribal governments in responding to the economic and public health impacts of COVID 19.
Hernando County received a total of $37,666,688.00 over two installments, one in 2021 and the next in 2022. To date, there are $2,963,196.00 in unencumbered funds remaining. Funds are required to be obligated by December 31, 2024, and expended by December 31, 2026.
Staff has received requests from the Vincent Academy and the Community Food Bank’s Rise Empowerment Center for assistance with construction of their facilities. In addition, staff is recommending allocating funds to the South Brooksville drainage project and to the Housing and Supportive Services Department for affordable housing. The funding requests and recommendations are as follows:
|
Vincent House |
$250,000.00 |
|
Rise Enrichment Center |
$250,000.00 |
|
Emergency Relief from Natural Disasters |
$2,463,196.00 |
|
Total |
$2,963.196.00 |
On March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) was signed into law and established the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund and Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund which together make up the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (“SLFRF”) program. This program is intended to provide support to state, territorial, local, and tribal governments in responding to the economic and public health impacts of COVID 19.
Hernando County received a total of $37,666,688.00 over two installments, one in 2021 and the next in 2022. To date, there are $2,963,196.00 in unencumbered funds remaining. Funds are required to be obligated by December 31, 2024, and expended by December 31, 2026.
Staff has received requests from the Vincent Academy and the Community Food Bank’s Rise Empowerment Center for assistance with construction of their facilities. In addition, staff is recommending allocating funds to the South Brooksville drainage project and to the Housing and Supportive Services Department for affordable housing. The funding requests and recommendations are as follows:
All ARPA funded projects must be in one of the following categories:
• To respond to the COVID 19 public health emergency or its negative economic impacts.
• To respond to workers performing essential work during the COVID 19 public health emergency by providing premium pay to such eligible workers of the recipient or by providing grants to eligible employers that have eligible workers who performed essential work.
• To make necessary investments in water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure.
• Emergency relief from natural disasters.
• Surface transportation projects.
• Title I projects, investing in activities that are eligible under the CDBG and ICDBG programs, as listed in section 105(a) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974.
Staff and the County’s ARPA consultant firm, The Balmoral Group, have reviewed the projects and have determined that the listed projects meet the criteria as listed above and are eligible for ARPA funding. Projects associated with the Vincent House and Rise Enrichment Center are currently undergoing mandatory risk assessment by The Balmoral Group.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Funds totaling $2,963,196.00 are available within Fund 1555 American Rescue for the projects approved by the Board.
LEGAL NOTE
The Board has the authority to act on this matter pursuant to Chapter 125, Florida Statutes.
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Board provide direction on the amount of unobligated funds to allocate to projects or project types. Upon Board direction, staff will develop associated obligation agreements and bring those agreements back to the BOCC for approval.