Minutes 06-15-2021 Virtual Business meeting

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16 total $4 million request in the first year and are spread over a span of three years instead of two years. Over the summer, staff will continue to monitor and review opportunities to use ARPA funding in partnership with other jurisdictions, to leverage outside funding, and to structure other potential funding sources in a way that serves residents with the most appropriate programs while maintaining the County's flexibility to respond and adapt as conditions and needs dictate. For example, some departments are currently aware of potential streams of funding for programs that are also eligible for ARPA expenditures. In an effort to prioritize funding sources and streamline access to those programs, a team of County department directors will be convening bi-weekly to ensure efficient and user friendly processes. The Housing and Community Development Department also requested a total of$4 million annually in direct assistance to households throughout the County. However, during the past year, municipalities have contributed federal funds as well as local funds to help support their residents. This partnership would allow the County to potentially repurpose funds currently designated for emergency housing support. County staff have initiated discussions with Town staff about jointly funding this program, but the Towns may not make final funding recommendations until later in the summer. County staff have also been exploring a cost share framework to support the Street Outreach, Harm Reduction, and Deflection program that would be sustainable in the long run after federal funding is exhausted. Finally, the County's Broadband Task Force is closely monitoring State and Federal programs where the County's ARPA investments may leverage outside funding support. That group will continue to meet over the summer to recommended a design and implementation approach that can be executed swiftly and can leverage those outside funding partnerships. Travis Myren reviewed the background information for the item, and indicated this is a follow up from the Board's discussion on June 8, 2021. He said the revenue replacement for the Sportplex and Visitors Bureau is unique to this round of ARPA funding and allows use of federal funds to replace lost revenue as a result of the pandemic. He said the amounts are estimates for the end of FY 2021 that will prevent a fund deficit. He said the County will only apply what is required to prevent a fund deficit, and the balance would be available for repurposing when this is reviewed in the fall. Travis Myren reviewed the second option, which shows all ARPA funding accelerated in the first three years of the spending period. He said allocations would roll over if not used. He said the County can only spend up to $14.4 million in the first year, so broadband expenditures are spread over two years and EHA expenditures are spread over three years to account for this limitation. Commissioner Dorosin said in the background information for option 2 it says payments are reduced by $750,000 but does not see that reflected in the attachment. Travis Myren said in order to stay under the $14.4 million maximum he had to take out $750,000 out of the first year of EHA programming in order to push it out across three years instead of two. Commissioner Dorosin clarified there would not be a net loss of$750,000. Travis Myren said no. Chair Price said she asked to see the funding for the Arts Commission included in the proposals. She said it is in the second schedule, but not exactly what she was hoping for. She asked if it is possible to get some of that funding in FY21-22 in order to jumpstart some economic development. She said the Arts were the hardest hit industry, and the request from Arts Commission is not huge. She said she would like to have it in year one.