ARP funding legislation OK’d

Council passes two resolutions, ordinance to ensure the village complies with mandates for American Rescue funds

The federal legislation will provide additional funding “to address the continued impact of COVID-19 on the economy, public health, state and local governments, individuals and businesses,” according to a summary provided by the Congressional Research Service.

Perry Village has officially launched its quest to receive federal funding through the American Rescue Plan Act.

Village Council, during its

Aug. 12 meeting, approved three pieces of legislation required for the community’s government to obtain and use American Rescue Plan money.

Those funds will be derived from a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus bill that was approved by Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden in March.

Council unanimously passed two resolutions and an ordinance to ensure that the village complies with the following American Rescue Plan mandates for

local government entities:

• Adopt policies and procedures for accepting federal grants and handling cash on hand.

• Create a new and separate account within the community government’s budget to direct, manage and control money obtained through the American Rescue Plan.

• Authorize the village mayor or his designee to apply for and receive American Rescue Plan funds.

Council went into the Aug. 13 meeting facing a Sept. 4 deadline for passing the three measures.

“This gets us kicked off and started,” said Village Solicitor James O’Leary. “That’s why we’re doing it tonight.”

Council won’t be gathering for its next regularly scheduled meeting until Sept. 9.

The federal legislation

will provide additional funding “to address the continued impact of COVID-19 on the economy, public health, state and local governments, individuals and businesses,” according to a summary provided by the Congressional Research Service.

Perry Village has been designated to receive about $170,352 in American Rescue Plan funding, according to one of the ordinances passed on Aug. 12.

Those funds will be made available to the village in two equal portions. No distribution dates are listed in the ordinance, although the legislation stated that the second installment will be disbursed no earlier than a year after the first allocation.

Funds received may only be used for approved expenses incurred from March 31 of this year through Dec. 31, 2024. All funds must be spent by Dec. 31, 2026.

Local government entities can request approval to use American Rescue Plan funding for purposes that include:

• Responding to the COVID-19 emergency or its negative economic impacts, including assistance to households, small businesses and nonprofits, or aid to impacted industries such as tourism, travel and hospitality.

• Providing premium pay to eligible workers or grants to employers of essential workers during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

• Providing government services to the extent of reductions in revenue, relative to revenues collected during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

• Making necessary investments in water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure.

More legislation will be drawn up and acted upon by council as village government leaders earmark American Rescue Plan funding for specific projects or purposes, O’Leary said.