Help for Alaskan Local Governments

Acceptance

DCRA Process for Distributing ARPA Funds to Cities
Currently, DCRA is preparing to distribute Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds to local governments per the U.S. Treasury guidance for smaller cities, typically those with a population less than 50,000, that will receive ARPA funds throughout the state. These cities are referred to as non-entitlement units of local government (NEUs) in the guidance found here: US Treasury Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund for NEUs. With the passage of the budget, the state requested a 30-day extension anticipating the distribution of funds to NEUs beginning in late July. AML anticipates future extensions being requested. Each NEU will receive their individual Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recover Fund Agreement from DCRA.
To facilitate timely distribution, DCRA has posting the following documents for NEUs to complete and return as soon as possible to DCRA.ARPA@alaska.gov:

Once you have completed all the documents required by DCRA, you should receive your first distribution of funds. The second distribution should occur 12 months later, next year. You should receive as well a unique identifier from the State, which you’ll include in what you upload to SAM.gov, along with your signed Terms and Conditions, and Title VI Civil Rights Act compliance document.

 

Compliance

Local government funding through ARPA comes in a variety of forms, and there are some important things to know:

  • ARPA Terms and Conditions Video
  • Recipient Compliance and Reporting Guidance – July 13, 2021
  • All expenditures, compliance and reporting is dictated by the Act itself and Treasury’s implementation
  • Total funds come half this year and half next
  • All boroughs, plus the City of Fairbanks, received their funding directly from Treasury – reporting requirements are more substantial
  • All other cities have to complete a process designed by the State’s DCCED to accept their allocation – annual reporting
    • See this document for more information about city allocations: NEU – FAQs – June 7, 2021
  • Communities within census areas (that aren’t boroughs) will receive a separate allocation through DCCED

All local governments are prime recipients, meaning the State has no responsibilities other than to distribute funds. The State’s process includes that in order to request payment, submit the following paperwork to DCRA.ARPA@alaska.gov:

AML and partners have developed a number of tools that will be useful for local governments:

 

Reporting

Update! The first reporting deadline for NEUs will be April 30, 2022 (instead of Oct 31, 2021).
Update! – States, Territories, and Cities/Counties must submit a Project and Expenditure Report by January 31, 2022 (instead of October 31, 2021).
Recipient Compliance and Reporting Responsibilities – U.S. Department of the Treasury
SLFRF_Treasury-Portal-Recipient-Reporting-User-Guide – August 17, 2021
AML ARPA Reporting Webinar – August 19, 2021
ARPA Reporting PPT – August 19, 2021

The Alaska Municipal League (AML) is offering to support local and tribal governments in their reporting and compliance needs. Please complete the following agreement and we’ll assist in ensuring successful implementation:
AML ARPA Service Agreement – Compliance Support Option, June 8, 2021

 

 

 


Separate from CSLFRF allocations, the following may be of interest to local governments