The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocates funding to governmental entities based on population. Counties and cities with over 50,000 inhabitants receive funding directly from the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Cities with less than 50,000 residents receive allocations through their state government. Local funding total allocations to Douglas County jurisdictions include:
Timing of Funds – Douglas County received 50% of the funds in May of 2021 and will receive the other 50% in May of 2022. The County must commit the full ARPA allocation by 2024 and spend by the end of 2026.
Allowable Use of Funds – The American Rescue Plan Act and accompanying guidance from the U.S. Department of the Treasury define categories of eligible use:
- 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; and,
- Invest in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure, making necessary investments to improve access to clean drinking water, support vital wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, and expand access to broadband internet.
Additional information on allowable uses can be found here.
ARPA Funding Investment Principles – The Board of Douglas County Commissioners has established the following ARPA Funding Investment Principles:
- Ensure legacy benefit
- Respond to immediate needs, then forward-looking
- Integrate with Board Priorities
- Avoid duplication with other sources
- Leverage partnership opportunities
Development of Spending Plan – The Board of Douglas County Commissioners has established the following seven core ARPA investment priorities.
Priorities within the spending plan were developed based in part on public input and consultation with stakeholder groups including economic development organizations, service providers, and nonprofit entities. Several Townhall meetings (live and virtual) were held to further solicit input on several of the priority investment areas. These included a June 22nd town hall on homelessness, a June 8th town hall on broadband, and a May 5th town hall on mental health.
Douglas County also initiated a series of seven due diligence and stakeholder engagement meetings on water projects and the RWR proposal in particular.
Ongoing Reporting and Disclosure – Douglas County is committed to transparency, fiscal responsibility, and compliance with federal reporting requirements.