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�sz City of Tukwila <br />Allan Ekberg, Mayor <br />INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM <br />TO: Finance and Governance Committee <br />FROM: Vicky Carlsen, Finance Director <br />BY: Julie Hatley, ARPA Funds Analyst <br />CC: Mayor Ekberg <br />DATE: November 14, 2022 <br />SUBJECT: First Half of 2022 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Fund expenditures and <br />Benefits to our Community <br />ISSUE <br />Staff is reporting First Half of 2022 ARPA-funded expenditures, and information detailing the benefits <br />of the expenditures to the community, per 2021 allocations approved by City Council in November <br />2021. <br />BACKGROUND <br />On March 10, 2021, a $1.9 trillion relief package, known as the American Rescue Plan Act, was <br />approved and provided funding in several areas including state and local aid, education, rental <br />assistance, and transit. The City was allocated $5.68 million with the first half received in June of 2021 <br />and the second half received in July of 2022. Funds must be spent or contractually committed by <br />December 31, 2024. <br />In January 2022 the US Treasury released their ARPA Final Rule for compliant recordkeeping and <br />reporting with updates provided the following months. In September 2022 Treasury announced that, <br />due to budget cuts and current rules barring them from flexing administrative costs from one program <br />to another, they would close their popular ARPA Call-in Customer Service Center. Treasury staff levels <br />were severely curtailed with only email support remaining, however, they predict significantly delayed <br />response times. The US Treasury continues to refer governments to online reference materials, <br />however, relevant information for smaller municipalities like Tukwila who received less than under $10M <br />is limited. Staff confirms commitment to all state and federal compliance requirements. <br />On March 14, 2022, staff introduced ARPA Funds Analyst to the Finance & Governance committee <br />that included Analyst presenting responsibilities for accurate and federally compliant recordkeeping <br />and reporting. For each Council -approved allocation, Analyst monitors, tracks, and audits each <br />individual ARPA-funded expenditure, collaborates across departments, provides ongoing knowledge <br />support for decision makers, and reconciles expenditures at multiple points during the year. In April <br />2022 Analyst successfully reported the City's first year of ARPA expenditures and community projects <br />to the US Treasury as required. <br />On May 23, 2022, Analyst prepared and presented to the Finance & Governance committee a report <br />of 2021 ARPA-funded expenditures and benefits to the community. During the subsequent 2021 State <br />Audit, Analyst provided methodology and records to auditors for their detailed assessment. Auditors <br />37 <br />