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Receive a briefing and discuss remaining unencumbered funds obtained through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
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INITIATOR: John Ratliff, City Manager
STAFF INFORMATION SOURCE: Rebecca Johnson, Finance Director; Kristin Huntley, Deputy Finance Director
BACKGROUND: Congress, through the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund under the American Rescue Plan Act, allocated $18,202,822 to the City of Lawton to support COVID-19 response efforts, replace lost public sector revenue, support immediate economic stabilization, and address systemic public health and economic challenges. The City received $9,101,411 on May 19, 2021, and $9,101,411 on June 6, 2022. To date, $13,517,809.67 has been encumbered or spent, leaving a balance of $4,685,012.33 These funds must be encumbered by December 31, 2024, and spent by December 31, 2026. The U.S. Treasury provided specific rules on how cities are to spend the funds. Eligible uses include the support of 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 harms to workers, households, small businesses, impacted industries, and the public sector; replace lost public sector revenue by using the funding to provide government services to the extent of the reduction in revenue experienced due to the pandemic; provide premium pay for essential workers; and invest in water, sewer and broadband infrastructure by making necessary investments to improve access to clean drinking water, support vital wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, and to expand access to broadband internet. Staff is seeking guidance from Council on how the remaining funds should be spent in accordance with the U.S. Treasury rules.
EXHIBIT: ARPA Expense Worksheet
KEY ISSUES: None
FUNDING SOURCE: U.S. Treasury
STAFF RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION: Recei...
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