COMMISSIONERS
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BUDGET
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RECORDS REQUEST
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U.S. TREASURY
View the U.S. Treasury’s Covid-19 relief fund guidance.
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)
Overview
On March 11, 2021, President Joe Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) into law. The $1.9 trillion package, based on President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, is intended to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, including public health and economic impacts.
As part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, the $362 billion Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF) provides local fiscal aid to support urgent COVID-19 response efforts, cover increased expenditures, replenish lost revenue and mitigate economic harm from the COVID—19 pandemic.
Check back to follow Bannock County’s progress in disseminating the ARPA grant funds.
Bannock County's Plan
“We want these funds to be used in a way that will have positive, generational impacts on our community. These funds offer a unique opportunity to invest in our community and enhance our quality of life, but we have to be strategic and considerate in our actions,”
– Commissioner Ernie Moser, chair
Watch ARPA Fund Discussions:
Approved Projects
Bannock County was allocated $17,055,675 in Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recover Funds (SLFRF). The Bannock County Board of Commissioners has approved using funds for several community projects.
Community Projects include:
$7 million to Forensic Pathology fund
Bannock County Commissioners approved spending $2 million of ARPA funds to construct a forensic pathology center that would provide autopsy services for 17 counties in East Idaho. Currently, Ada County is the only location available for in-state autopsies.
$2 million to Bannock County Events fund
Bannock County Commissioners established a Bannock County Events fund using $2 million of ARPA funds at a Public Hearing on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022. The fund will be used to facilitate county-ran events, including concessions, the Independence Day Celebration, and the production and promotion of concerts.
View Public Hearing Notice | Watch Public Hearing
$1.5 million to Portneuf Wellness Complex sewer infrastructure
Commissioners approved spending $1.5 million of ARPA funds to improve the Portneuf Wellness Complex’s infrastructure by installing a gravity sewer system near the Fairgrounds Road entrance. The upgrade will address some of the mechanical issues the Complex has dealt with for the past several years regarding restrooms.
$1 million to McCammon Fire Station
Commissioners approved investing $1 million of ARPA funds into the McCammon Fire Station; funds would be used to add an ambulance bay to help improve response times for ambulance services.
$900,000 to Update 911 Microwave Towers
Bannock County Commissioners allocated $900,000 of ARPA funds to update the seven county-owned microwave/radio towers that provide Public Safety Communications for the county, state, and local first responders.
FAQs
What can ARPA/SLFRF funds be used for?
Recipients may use SLFRF funds to:
- Replace lost public sector revenue, using this funding to provide government services up to the amount of revenue lost due to the pandemic
- Respond to the far-reaching public health and negative economic impacts of the pandemic by supporting the health of communities and helping households, small businesses, impacted industries, nonprofits, and the public sector recover from economic impacts
- Provide premium pay for essential workers, offering additional support to those who have and will bear the greatest health risks because of their service in critical sectors
- Invest in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure, making necessary investments to improve access to clean drinking water, support vital wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, and expand affordable access to broadband internet.
More information on eligible uses of funds:
The U.S. Department of Treasury’s Final Rule provides the rule text and supplemental information. The final rule takes effect on April 1, 2022.
The Overview of the Final Rule provides a summary of major rule provisions for informational purposes and is intended as a brief, simplified user guide for recipients and stakeholders.
The Final Rule FAQs provide responses to frequently asked questions regarding the use of funds under the Final Rule.
The Final Rule webinar and slide presentation provide an introduction and summary of the Final Rule.
When do funds have to be allocated by?
ARPA/SLFRF funds must be obligated by December 31, 2024, and expended by December 31, 2026. This time period, during which recipients can expend SLFRF funds, is the “period of performance.”
Can ARPA/SLFRF funds be used for Property Tax Relief?
No, according to the Treasury’s Overview of the Final Rule, page 41, which reads:
“Restrictions on Use
While recipients have considerable flexibility to use Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds to address the diverse needs of their communities, some restrictions on use of funds apply.
OFFSET A REDUCTION IN NET TAX REVENUE
- States and territories may not use this funding to directly or indirectly offset a reduction in net tax revenue resulting from a change in law, regulation, or administrative interpretation beginning on March 3, 2021, through the last day of the fiscal year in which the funds provided have been spent. If a state or territory cuts taxes during this period, it must demonstrate how it paid for the tax cuts from sources other than SLFRF, such as by enacting policies to raise other sources of revenue, by cutting spending, or through higher revenue due to economic growth. If the funds provided have been used to offset tax cuts, the amount used for this purpose must be repaid to the Treasury.”
Who gets to decide how to use the funds?
The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) serves as the governing body for the County government, with final budget authority for all County funds, including ARPA/SLFRF funds.
What are Bannock County's reporting requirements?
Recipients are required to comply with Treasury’s Compliance and Reporting Guidance, which includes submitting mandatory periodic reports to Treasury. The reporting threshold is based on the total award amount allocated by the Treasury under the SLFRF program.
Bannock County is considered a “Tier 2 Recipient,” which is categorized as metropolitan cities and counties with a population below 250,000 residents that are allocated more than $10 million in SLFRF funding.
Tier 2 Recipients are required to submit Interim Reports and Project and Expenditure Reports to the Treasury.
Interim Report: Recipients are required to submit a one-time interim report detailing an initial overview of the status and uses of funding.
Project and Expenditure Report: Recipients are required to submit quarterly and annual reports detailing projects funded, expenditures, and contracts and subawards over $50,000.
Covid-19 Resources:
SLFRF Resources
Helpful Information and Links
Quick Links
Emergency Notification System
FLOODS – Are you prepared? Flood Protection, FEMA, and Floodsmart.gov
Bannock County Courthouse
624 East Center
Pocatello, Idaho 83201
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