City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: JUNE 11, 2021
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Public Hearing on the City's American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Draft Funding Priorities.
BODY
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ISSUE: Planning for the allocation of federal stimulus funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
(1) Hold a public hearing regarding the consideration of potential programs/projects for developing an ARPA Spending Plan.
(2) Discuss prioritization of potential programs/projects for the first tranche to advise staff on the development of the ARPA Spending Plan.
BACKGROUND: On March 10, President Biden signed into law the American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) which will provide a $1.9 trillion stimulus to the US economy.
The ARPA provides funding for many programs and services nationwide. It includes benefits directly to individuals, such as recovery rebates, extended unemployment benefits, and additional assistance for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. It also includes assistance to small businesses and to state and local governments as well as school districts. Some of this state and local government aid is targeted to specific categorical programs (public health activities, K-12 education, arts, early childhood education, emergency housing vouchers, public transit, etc.) and, additionally, $360 billion of this one-time aid will be directly allocated to states and localities on a formulaic basis. Through the passage of ARPA, the City will be allocated $59.4 million in two equal tranches (one was already directly received and the second will be received in May 2022).
Since the signing of this legislation and subsequent discussion at the March 27, 2021 City Council Legislative Session, there have been three new developments: 1) the Treasury Department relea...
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