The Institute of Government provided a series of free webinars to help government leaders plan and think strategically about how to invest in their communities with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. These webinars, part of our Funding the Future series, covered the funding governments are receiving through ARPA, how it compares to the recent CARES funding, ARPA allocations and distribution, audit requirements and reporting, internal control, and strategic planning.
Resources for the webinars can be found below.
In Managing ARPA Funds, CVIOG faculty, the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget, the State Accounting Office, the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts, Georgia Department of Community Affairs, as well as city and county financial officers discussed both mandatory requirements and best practices in managing these funds.
Topics: Overview of funding, Funds Distribution to Non-Entitlement Units of Local Government, Audit Requirements, Internal Control, Chart of Accounts Guidance, and Local Government Perspective with Georgia Government Finance Officers Association.
The American Rescue Plan Act has allocated significant financial resources to federal agencies, state governments, and local governments of all sizes. Should local governments use these resources to build capital infrastructure or address economic challenges impacting the community? How will any of these investments be sustainable in the long run? In Planning Strategically for ARPA Funds, Institute of Government faculty, the President of the Georgia Association of Regional Commissions, and an officer of the Georgia City County Management Association will discuss how to strategically use these funds while engaging with the public and utilizing regional partnerships.
Topics: Background/Overview of complete funding involved in ARPA, How to Assess the Strategic Use of ARPA Funds, How to Engage with the Public on Using the Funds, and Leveraging Regional Partnerships.
On March 11, President Biden signed into law the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
The $1.9 trillion economic relief package allows for aid to American states, counties and cities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts “on the economy, public health, State and local governments, individuals, and businesses.”
The law allocated nearly $5 billion to Georgia state government and $3.5 billion to local governments in the state. More than $2 billion in relief was allocated to Georgia counties with more than $1.4 billion allocated to Georgia cities.
The Revenue Loss Calculation Worksheet is one tool for calculating whether a local government experienced a revenue loss. It is important to use professional judgement when completing the worksheet. Supporting documentation should be maintained regarding the amounts used in the calculation. The formula to adjust revenues reported on the Report of Local Government Finances assumes all revenues have a normal credit balance. Other methods to calculate a revenue loss are allowable as long as it follows the guidance provided in the Final Rule.
Part I Calculation of Revenue Loss– This four minute video provides instruction for exporting data from the Tax and Expenditure
Database to be used in the calculation of revenue loss.
U.S. Bureau of the Census, Government Finance and Employment Classification Manual, October 2006– Chapter 4 of this manual provides guidance regarding General Revenue to use in the Revenue Loss Calculation.
Full ARPA bill, provided by Congress.gov.
The Georgia Municipal Association’s ARPA guide – includes a presentation and information from the National League of Cities
The National Association of Counties’ analysis of the act– includes a list of county allocations.
