Title
Overview of the proposed funding process for the American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA)
Body
Issue/Request:
Overview of the proposed funding process for the American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA)
Key Issues:
A method for responding to the fiscal impacts of the current pandemic and advancing strategic priorities will be presented. With limited funding available, a robust prioritization process is needed to ensure the funds are utilized in a way that maximizes the benefit to the overall community.
Background:
The ARPA allocated $8,310,882 in Coronavirus Local Fiscal Relief Funds (“Funds”) to the City of Lee’s Summit (the “City”) to respond to the COVID-19 emergency and its accompanying economic fallout. The Funds allow for a broad range of eligible uses to fill the identified needs of the community.
The guidance for the Funds emphasizes a strong, equitable recovery and addresses those areas disproportionately affected by the pandemic. Many, but not all, of the City’s internal acute pandemic response needs were addressed through funding provided by the CARES Act. The CARES Act funds enabled the City to purchase personal protective equipment, provide testing capabilities, upgrade physical facilities to decrease opportunities of virus transmission, improve community awareness, and provide economic support to local non-profits and small businesses.
Additional funds were also made available through the Community Development Block Grant ("CDBG") to help address the needs of the City's low-to-moderate income population. The CARES Act and additional CDBG funding were more restrictive than the ARPA funds and were disbursed in smaller increments throughout the community.
With the ever-changing conditions associated with the Pandemic, additional internal funds may be needed to respond to new variants and conditions, such as those occurring with the current Delta Variant. A portion of the ARPA funds should be reserved to address these needs as they arise.
The ...
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