ARPA webinar covers reporting rules for non-entitlement units of government

The U.S. Department of the Treasury, which is administering the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds under the American Rescue Plan Act, hosted an informational webinar on March 21 for non-entitlement units of government.

ARPA’s State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds are divided into two categories: metro cities, which are typically municipalities with a population greater than 50,000, and non-entitlement units of government, which have populations below 50,000.

Treasury officials discussed changes included in the Final Rule for the SLFRF and answered questions concerning streamlined reporting guidance for municipal officials.

The Final Rule, which was published in January and takes effect on April 1, provides state and local governments with broader flexibility to pursue a wider range of uses to respond to local public health and economic needs. The rules were simplified, so state and local governments can focus on responding to the needs of constituents and maximize the impact of their funds.

The Treasury Department has made it clear that, even prior to April 1, SLRFR recipients may take actions and use funds in a manner consistent with the Final Rule, and the department will not take action to enforce the Interim Final Rule if a use of funds is consistent with the terms of the Final Rule, regardless of when the SLFRF funds were used.

The webinar details the documentation needed for non-entitlement units of governments to submit their first Project and Expenditure Report to the Treasury by April 30.

NEU’s receiving more than $10 million will need to submit additional Project and Expenditure reports 30 days following each quarter for the duration of the program. NEU’s receiving less than $10 million will file Project and Expenditure reports annually.