Stimulus Package Check List

The Business Roundtable of the National Association of Black County Officials (NABCO) released a check list which it says the local county office should follow to fully maximize the resources available in the subscribe to in order to maximize the available resources in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Stimulus bill).

There are 15 points in the check list. They are:

1. Determine the name of the local planning agency and full contact information of the contact person for the legislation.
2. Determine who in the Governor’s office is assigned to make decisions on the state’s allocation of Stimulus funds.
3. Identify the department and individual within the State responsible for implementing the State Stimulus plan.
4. Obtain and read the act.
5. Obtain and read the State stimulus program document.
6. Some stimulus funds will require matching funds from the local county. The Roundtable states the officials should not be deterred by this requirement. They should seek to have this requirement eliminated; to allow the match to be satisfied with in-kind services in lieu of cash; to satisfy the match requirement with grant funds; or, seek a waiver of the matching requirement.
7. Delay the requirement to contribute the matching funds until the latest possible time during the life of the project.
8. Require that jobs be created directly within the jurisdiction or community receiving and spending the allocation of Stimulus funds.
9. Find out the State’s plan to assist non-entitlement cities, towns and counties with Stimulus funds.
10. Identify and obtain a list of the county’s “shovel ready” projects.
11. Find out the receipt date of the State’s allocation of Stimulus funds.
12. Oppose any waivers that will weaken the fair allocation of Stimulus funds and other resources to socially and economically disadvantaged communities.
13. Investigate and implement strategies to leverage Stimulus funds received by the community.
14. Identify a local source within your community to provide assistance with Stimulus related questions, technical assistance and support.
15. Create and implement a system to maintain strict accountability for all Stimulus funds received by the county; documenting receipt of fund and the specific manner in which funds were or are being spent.

For additional information on the stimulus visit the web sites of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National League of Cities, the National Association of Counties, and the National Council of State Legislators.

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