On March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) was signed. This legislation provided 1.9 trillion to address the COVID-19 pandemic and the corresponding economic crisis. This emergency legislative package funds vaccinations, provides immediate direct relief to individuals, and supports struggling communities.
There are over 200 sections of relief outlined in the legislation, some notable funds and provisions include:
- Stimulus checks for individuals
- Expanded unemployment benefits
- Emergency rental and homeowner assistance
- School emergency relief fund
- Shuttered venue relief
- Programs for restaurants and small business owners
- Local Fiscal Recovery funds for each city, town, and state
State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF)
The Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF), a part of the American Rescue Plan, delivers $350 billion to state, local, and Tribal governments across the country to support their response to and recovery from the COVID-19 public health emergency. The program ensures that governments have the resources needed to:
• Fight the pandemic and support families and businesses struggling with its public health and economic impacts,
• Maintain vital public services, even amid declines in revenue, and
• Build a strong, resilient, and equitable recovery by making investments that support long-term growth and opportunity.
The City of Oakley received $10,177,000 in Local Fiscal Recovery funds!
The Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds provide substantial flexibility for each jurisdiction to meet local needs—including support for households, small businesses, impacted industries, essential workers, and the communities hardest-hit by the crisis. These funds also deliver resources that recipients can invest in building, maintaining, or upgrading their water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure.
The US Treasury has outlined that the funds are intended to :
- Support urgent COVID-19 response efforts to continue to decrease spread of the virus and bring the pandemic under control;
- Replace lost public sector revenue to strengthen support for vital public services and help retain jobs;
- Support immediate economic stabilization for households and businesses; and,
- Address systemic public health and economic challenges that have contributed to the inequal impact of the pandemic on certain populations.
Additional details about the funds, including the Final Rule outlining the guidelines for the spending can be found on the Treasury website.
Oakley’s ARPA Allocation
As of May 2022, the Oakley City Council has allocated $6.5 M of its $10.1 M of local recovery funds. It is the City’s intention to INVEST these funds wisely in order to benefit the Oakley community to the highest extent. Below is a graphic showing an overview of the projects these funds are supporting.
City Council ARPA Materials
Below are links to the City Council staff reports that discuss ARPA related items:
September 14, 2021 – American Rescue Plan Act Discussion
Slideshow (included in 9/14/21 Council Item)
Business Recovery Survey (included in 9/14/21 Council Item)
November 9, 2021 – American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Update
Business Needs Survey (included in 11/9/21 Council Item)
January 25, 2022 – American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Update
ARPA Community Survey (included in 1/25/22 Council item)
May 10, 2022 – American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Update – Additional Allocation Recommendations and Request to Establish an Ad-Hoc Committee to Review ARPA Nonprofit Grant Applications
June 14, 2022 – Consideration of a Resolution American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund Grants to Nonprofits Serving the Oakley Community
February 28, 2023 – Consideration of a Resolution Authorizing the Create of a Citywide Retail and Industrial Revitalization Grant Program (using ARPA funds)
February 28, 2023 – Consideration of a Resolution Appropriating ARPA Funds for Recreation Classes, to Establish a Tourism Fund, and Funding Related to the Oakley Senior Citizens Club