Survey seeks community guidance on investing funds to create economic opportunities and promote health and wellness initiatives.
Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman today announced a community survey to help guide the County’s use of federal Fiscal Recovery Funds authorized under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which provides a total of $65.1 billion in flexible, direct funding to every county in America.
“I want to thank residents, nonprofit leaders, and other stakeholders for their participation in this survey – this feedback is important,” County Executive Steuart Pittman said. “It will help guide how we use these funds, as we continue to address the health and economic impacts of the pandemic.”
The survey provides an opportunity for community members to provide feedback on project prioritization, service area rankings, and comments on specific funding ideas. The survey will be open for two weeks, closing on Tuesday, July 27.
Anne Arundel County will receive a total of $112,509,414 in direct appropriations from the US Department of the Treasury. The county received $56,254,707 on May 19, 2021, and will receive the balance in May 2022. All funds must be spent by December 31, 2024.
According to a press release:
The FY22 County Budget, which was passed on June 14, recognizes the Fiscal Recovery Funds and provides appropriation authority beginning on July 1. The US Treasury has publicized its Interim Final Rules and is expected to issue final guidance sometime after July 16. The County will also be conducting a survey to solicit community input on recovery fund spending priorities.
After the survey is complete and the US Treasury guidance is final, the County will solicit proposals through an online portal. Proposals will be vetted for eligibility and non-duplication by the Budget Office, and evaluated by the Fiscal Recovery Fund Workgroup. The portal is expected to be operational by August 1.
Because these funds are available until December 31, 2024, the County intends to hold a portion aside to hedge against future economic declines or unanticipated needs. This portion will decline over time as the 2024 deadline approaches.
Visit the Anne Arundel County website for more information.
As counties determine how to invest ARPA funds to foster a swift and equitable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, they face the risk that spending will increase to levels that will prove impossible to sustain once the federal relief expires at the end of 2024. Accordingly, understanding how investments today will create (or prevent) ongoing costs tomorrow is key to avoiding unexpected liabilities.
At the 2021 MACo Summer Conference, an expert panel will discuss funding opportunities and challenges, rules/regulations, and best practices to ensure this funding will enable communities to recover, rebuild, and thrive.
The “American Recovery Plan Put to Action” session, hosted by NORESCO, will be held Saturday, August 21, 2021, from 9:00 am – 10:00 am.
The MACo Summer Conference will be held August 18-21 at the Roland Powell Convention Center in Ocean City, Maryland. This year’s theme is “Resilient. Responsive…Ready.”
View the brochure for the full schedule and details on sessions being offered at this year’s conference!
Learn more about MACo’s Summer Conference:
