Explanation
BACKGROUND: The American Rescue Plan was passed by Congress on March 10, 2021 and signed into law on March 11, 2021. The Plan established the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund, and authorized the U.S. Treasury to make payments from that Fund to states and eligible units of local government, including the City of Columbus, to respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency and its negative economic impacts. The American Rescue Plan funds will be available for use through December 31, 2024.
The American Rescue Plan requires that the payments from the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund be used to cover expenses that respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency, or its negative economic impacts, including but not limited to, providing assistance to households, small businesses, and nonprofits, or aid to impacted industries, such as tourism, travel, and hospitality; respond to workers performing essential work during the COVID-19 pandemic by providing premium pay to eligible workers of the City of Columbus performing essential work or by providing grants to eligible employers that have eligible workers; provide government services, to the extent COVID-19 caused a reduction of revenues collected in the most recent full fiscal year; or make necessary investments in water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure.
The Department of Finance and Management will be responsible for monitoring the distribution and appropriate expenditure of American Rescue Plan funds based on guidance provided by the United States Department of Treasury. In conjunction with the City Auditor, the Department of Finance and Management is requesting these funds be appropriated to sub-funds established to support the delivery of critical City services related to COVID-19 response and support for investments in the Columbus community. Establishing these sub-funds will ensure that expenditures are aligned with the priorities established by the Mayor and City ...
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