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05/28/2021

Most Recent Edition of Ohio Connects - OBM Newsletter

MESSAGE FROM OBM DIRECTOR KIMBERLY MURNIEKS

The state operating budget process continues to move forward, currently in Senate deliberations. We will communicate information about the final budget after it is passed and signed by Governor DeWine.

Last week, I was honored to be invited to the spring conference of the County Treasurers Association of Ohio to provide updates on the state of our economy and budget.

As we begin to close out the state’s fiscal year, I want to thank you for your steadfast leadership and genuine partnership in public finance!

Please reach out to your OBM team if there is anything we can do to help you.

ECONOMIC UPDATE

Monthly Financial Report 

The Office of Budget and Management publishes a detailed financial report each month that provides an economic overview and detailed information about state revenues and expenditures. To view the latest report follow this link: April 2021.


Economic Growth

OHIO CONNECT$ WEBINARS

Spring Webinar Series

OBM has hosted two of the three scheduled webinars in our spring series. The April 29 webinar provided initial information on the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, as well as an update on the Governor’s Executive Budget, local government eligibility for Public Assistance Funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and additional information on Coronavirus Relief Funds. The May 18 webinar provided additional details on the ARPA State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds including provisions and requirements from the U.S. Treasury Interim Final Rule and Frequently Asked Questions document which were released on May 10. If you were unable to attend these webinars, the recordings are available on the Ohio Grants Partnership website.

Registration is now available for the next webinar on June 24, 2021 at 1:30 p.m. by clicking here. This webinar will provide a more in-depth discussion on eligible use of funds and  non-entitlement local government unit funds.

Webinar People and Technology

GRANTS ADMINISTRATION

Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds – Guidance and Information

On May 10, the U.S. Treasury launched the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Implementation materials released include a fact sheet; allocations and allocation methodologies for states, non-entitlement units, territories, counties, and metropolitan cities; information on tranching of funds; and an interim final rule to implement the funds. These materials can be found on the U.S. Treasury’s Website. The interim final rule is currently open for public comment until July 16, 2021. If you wish to comment on the interim final rule, visit the Federal Register and click “Submit a Formal Comment.” Note that comments received are posted publicly. 

The Ohio Grants Partnership is available to assist with any questions regarding Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds; however, for authoritative guidance you can always contact the U.S. Treasury at SLFRP@treasury.gov.


American Flag with $100 bills

Application for Local Fiscal Recovery Funds

With the launch of the ARPA State and Local Fiscal Recovery funds, those eligible to receive a direct allocation from the U.S. Treasury (does not include non-entitlement local units of government) may now request their allocation through the Treasury Submission Portal. The portal is located at https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/coronavirus/assistance-for-state-local-and-tribal-governments/state-and-local-fiscal-recovery-fund/request-funding.

To complete a submission on behalf of your jurisdiction, you will be required to go through an identity process through ID.me in order to get your log-in credentials to the portal. The process requires a smart phone and proof of identity. At a minimum, you will be required to provide your date of birth, social security number, take a picture of an identifying document such as your driver’s license, and utilize your phone to do a facial scan and take a photo of yourself. Occasionally, registrations are sent through a secondary validation process which will require additional documentation to validate your identity and a video interview with an ID.me representative.

Once access is gained to the Treasury Submission Portal, you will be asked to provide the following information:

  1. Jurisdiction name, taxpayer ID number, DUNS Number, and address.
  2. Authorized representative name, title, and email.
  3. Contact person name, title, phone, and email.
  4. Funds transfer information, including recipient’s financial institution, address, phone, and routing number and account number.
  5. Completed certification document (to be signed by the authorized representative).

Treasury has recommended the individual that will be doing the reporting in the future be the one that acquires credentials through ID.me to access the portal. For questions about the Treasury Submission Portal or for technical support, you may e-mail the U.S. Treasury support team at covidreliefitsupport@treasury.gov.


Non-Entitlement Unit of Local Government Funds

The U.S. Treasury released allocation information and guidance for distributing ARPA funds to non-entitlement units of local government (NEUs) on May 24. OBM is currently evaluating the Treasury guidance and determining the best approach for meeting the requirements. OBM will communicate more information very soon. In addition, it is important to note the funds must first be appropriated by the legislature prior to any distribution.

There are a few steps that an eligible NEU can take now to prepare to request funds:

  • Obtain or confirm your local government’s valid DUNS number
  • Gather your local government’s payment information:
    • Local government name, Entity’s Taxpayer Identification Number, DUNS number, and address
    • Authorized representative name, title, and email
    • Contact person name, title, phone, and email
  • Confirm your local government’s top-line budget total (defined as your local government’s total annual operating budget, including the general fund and other funds, in effect as of January 27, 2020)  
  • Review and have an authorized representative ready to sign the following:

The U.S. Treasury has advised that local governments should register in SAM.gov as soon as possible. Although this registration may not hold up a future distribution, it will be required after receiving the award. OBM remains committed to keeping NEUs informed on this funding and is working as quickly as possible to navigate this process in alignment with U.S. Treasury guidance.


Resources to Help Local Governments Plan for Recovery from the Pandemic

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has recently published three guides focused on providing local governments with solutions, resources, and case studies to effectively respond to and plan for recovery from COVID-19 pandemic impacts. OBM wanted to share this information as many of you may have started planning recovery efforts, evaluating needs for uses of Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, and building grant capacity to best manage the additional funds. These guides provide examples from different representative community types and links to other valuable resources.

Local Government Solutions Guide for COVID-19 and Beyond: on Adaptive Design

Local Government Solutions Guide for COVID-19 and Beyond: on Alternative Public Service Solutions

Local Government Solutions for COVID-19 and Beyond: Grants Management Capacity


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