IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
A RESOLUTION implementing an allocation methodology for the eventual distribution of approximately $70.4 million in remaining Jackson County American Rescue Plan Act funds by the end of 2024.
Intro
RESOLUTION NO. 21736, September 23, 2024
INTRODUCED BY Jalen Anderson, County Legislator
Body
WHEREAS, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021, enacted by the U.S. Congress, provided for payments to local governments navigating the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak from the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds; and,
WHEREAS, ARPA requires that these federal funds may be used only to cover expenses to respond to the public health emergency with respect to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) or its negative impacts, including assistance to households, small businesses, and nonprofits, or aid to impacted industries such as tourism, travel, and hospitality; to respond to workers performing essential work during the COVID-19 public health emergency providing premium pay to eligible workers of the State, territory, or Tribal/local government that are performing such essential work, or by providing grants to eligible employers that have eligible workers who perform essential work; for the provision of government services to the extent of the reduction in revenue of such State, territory, and to make necessary investments in water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure; and incurred during the period from March 3, 2021 through December 31, 2026; and,
WHEREAS, Jackson County’s total allocation of ARPA funds was $136,551,645.00 with approximately $70,400,000 remaining; and,
WHEREAS, ARPA funds must be obligated by December 31, 2024 and spent by December 31, 2026; and,
WHEREAS, the ARPA funds are to be allocated for Community Investment, County Facility Capital Improvements, Public Health Department and Programming, and Long-Term County Facility Planning and Investments; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Jackson County Legislature of Jackson County, Missouri that Community Investment will receive $24,000,000.00 and will be allocated as follows:
1) The Senior Home Repairs Program will receive $5,000,000.00 to provide financial assistance for home repairs and improvements for senior homeowners, prioritizing the use of small businesses and Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE);
2) The Small Business Revolving Loan Program will receive $3,000,000.00 to establish a revolving loan fund to provide low-interest loans to small businesses, focusing on startups and businesses recovering from the pandemic’s economic impact;
3) Childcare Facility Improvements will receive $3,000,000.00 to fund improvements and expansions of existing childcare facilities to increase capacity and affordability for families;
4) Senior/Community Facility Improvements will receive $2,500,000.00 to provide grants for renovations and improvement to senior and community centers;
5) The Utility Assistance Program will receive $2,500,000.00 to establish a utility assistance program to help residents cover essential utility cost such as electricity, water, and heating;
6) Community Non-Profit Facility Improvements will receive $5,000,000.00 to provide funding to non-profits for facility improvements to enhance service delivery and operational efficiency;
7) The Community Survey Initiative will receive $1,000,000.00 to conduct a county-wide survey to gather input on community needs, service gaps, and program efficacy;
8) The Food Insecurity Program will receive $2,000,000.00 to fund initiatives to increase access to nutritious food, including food banks, meal delivery services, and community gardens; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, County Facility Capital Improvements will receive $30,400,000.00 to enhance safety, security, and accessibility, and to streamline interactions with county services, and make facilities more convenient for all residents; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, Public Health Department and Programming will receive $6,000,000.00 for ongoing health initiatives and programming, including COVID-19 response efforts, vaccination programs, health education, and other public health services aimed at improving community health outcomes; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, Long-Term County Facility Planning and Investments will receive $10,000,000.00 for strategic planning, feasibility studies, and initial investments in infrastructure projects that will support the county’s future growth and development; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the County Executive will undertake all required processes to ensure that the monies are made available for contracting prior to December 31, 2024.
Enacted and Approved
Effective Date: This resolution shall be effective immediately upon its signature by the County Executive.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
______________________________
County Counselor
I hereby certify that the attached resolution, Resolution No. 21736 introduced on September 23, 2024, was duly passed on ______________________________, 2024 by the Jackson County Legislature. The votes thereon were as follows:
Yeas _______________ Nays _____________
Abstaining ___________ Absent ____________
________________________ ____________________________________
Date Mary Jo Spino, Clerk of the Legislature