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Frequently Asked Questions
- What does RO mean?
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RO means the Montgomery County Recovery Office.
- What is the mission of the RO?
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The RO connects our community to information, resources, and opportunities, as well as equitably distributes funding throughout Montgomery County. Our goal is to support the health, social, and economic well-being of all residents, address racial and other disparities, and serve those hardest hit by the COVID-19 Pandemic. The RO creates and follows an inclusive, objective, collaborative, and transparent process to identify and select initiatives to fund and manage expenditures and initiatives responsibly.
- Who makes up the RO?
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The RO is made up of a Recovery Officer, a Strategy Director, a Process Manager, and Analysts.
- What is an idea submission?
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An idea communicates to the County a suggested focus for expenditure of Pandemic Recovery Funds as a priority or conceptual plan. Ideas can be anything from a short description of an initiative to a more detailed program that specifically addresses a need or disparity that has been caused or made worse by the Pandemic. Ideas are not requests for funding and do not require supporting documentation like a full project submission. For example: "I think the County should focus on affordable housing" or "We need a community center to serve the residents of my neighborhood.”
- Who can submit an idea?
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Any individual or entity may submit an idea.
- What happens to an idea after it gets submitted?
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The RO will review idea submissions and may refer them to relevant partners for further development.
- Who is the Technical Assistance Provider?
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Pennsylvania Health Access Network (PHAN)
Free
Available for All
Languages- English, Spanish, Korean, and Mandarin Chinese
Support to Submitters with Disabilities or Impairments
- Who is PHAN?
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The Pennsylvania Health Access Network and the Technical Assistance Provider.
- How can I contact the Technical Assistance Provider?
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PHAN's Contact Information
Text or Call: (610) 750-8200
Email: montcota@pahealthaccess.org
- What is COVID-19? What is the COVID-19 public health emergency?
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COVID-19 means the Coronavirus Disease 2019. COVID-19 public health emergency means the period beginning on January 27, 2020, and lasting until the termination of the national emergency concerning the COVID-19 outbreak declared pursuant to the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.).
- What is ARPA?
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ARPA is the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319). On March 11, 2021, Congress enacted ARPA which provides $1.9 trillion dollars in relief funds to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Where is the text of ARPA located?
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- What is SLFRF?
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SLFRF is the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. ARPA includes a set of funds known as SLFRF, which deliver $350 billion dollars in relief to the States and the District of Columbia, counties, metropolitan cities, Tribal governments, territories, and nonentitlement units of local government (NEUs). Pennsylvania’s allocation is $7,291,328,098.40. Montgomery County’s allocation is $161,395,498. The County is referring to their allocation as the Pandemic Recovery Funds.
- SLFRF- What is Pennsylvania's allocation?
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Pennsylvania’s allocation is $7,291,328,098.40.
- SLFRF- What is Montgomery County's allocation?
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The County’s allocation is $161,395,498. The County is referring to their allocation as the Pandemic Recovery Funds.
- What are the Pandemic Recovery Funds?
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Montgomery County’s SLFRF allocation is $161,395,498. The County is referring to these funds as the Pandemic Recovery Funds. Prior to use, the Funds may be deposited into interest-bearing accounts, with earned interest allowed for general County use.
- What is the timeline for the Pandemic Recovery Funds?
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March 3, 2021-December 31, 2024
The County must only use the Pandemic Recovery Funds to cover costs/obligations incurred between March 3, 2021, and December 31, 2024.
December 31, 2024
The County must allocate all of the Pandemic Recovery Funds by December 31, 2024. Thus, on December 31, 2024, the County will have allocated all of its $161,395,498.
December 31, 2026
All of the Pandemic Recovery Funds must be spent, and the period of performance must end, by December 31, 2026.
- What if the project is unable to be completed by December 31, 2026?
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All of the Pandemic Recovery Funds must be spent, and the period of performance must end, by December 31, 2026. Thus, if a project is unable to be completed by December 31, 2026, the project may be considered ineligible.
- What should be considered when submitting a Public Health project?
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An eligible public health project 1) identifies a negative public health impact/harm of the COVID-19 Pandemic, 2) identifies who is impacted, 3) addresses/responds to the identified impact or harm, and 4) reasonably benefits the individual or class impacted. Please see below for additional information.
Identify Negative Public Health Impact or Harm
What is the Impact or Harm
Who is Impacted or Harmed
Individual or Class
-General Public (COVID-19 Mitigation and Prevention AND Behavioral Health Subcategories)
Presumed Impacted / Disproportionately Impacted
Address or Respond to Identified Impact or Harm
Respond to Disease Itself or Other Public Health Harms that it Caused
Reasonably Benefit Individual or Class
Responsiveness to Intended Beneficiaries
Ability to Address Impact of Harm Experienced by Beneficiaries
Related and Reasonably Proportional to Extent and Type of Public Health Impact of Harm Experienced
-Reasonably Proportional- Scale of Response Compared to Scale of Harm, Targeting to Beneficiaries Compared to Amount of Harm Experienced, Size of Population Impacted, Severity/Type/Duration of Impact, Efficacy/Cost/Cost-Effectiveness/Time to Delivery of Response
- What are the subcategories of Respond to Public Health?
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Respond to Public Health
COVID-19 Mitigation and Prevention
Medical Expenses
Behavioral Health Care
Preventing and Responding to Violence
Also,
Expenses to Support Public Sector Capacity and Workforce
Capital Expenditures Related to Public Health
- What are some examples of COVID-19 Mitigation and Prevention?
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- Vaccination Programs and Incentives
- Acquisition of Medical Equipment for Treatment of COVID-19
- Installation of Ventilation Systems in Congregate Settings
- Health Facilities
- Assistance to Small Businesses, Nonprofits, or Impacted Industries to Implement Mitigation Measures
- What should be considered when submitting a Negative Economic Impacts project?
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An eligible negative economic project 1) identifies a negative economic harm of the COVID-19 Pandemic, 2) identifies who is impacted, 3) addresses/responds to the identified harm, and 4) reasonably benefits the individual or class harmed. Please see below for additional information.
Identify Economic Harm Caused or Exacerbated By Pandemic
What is the Harm
Extent of Harm i.e loss earnings or revenue
Identify Who is Impacted
Individual or Class
Presumed Impacted / Disproportionately Impacted
Address or Respond to Identified Harm
Reasonably Benefit Individual or Class
Responsiveness to Intended Beneficiaries
Ability to Address Impact of Harm Experienced by Beneficiaries
Related and Reasonably Proportional to Extent and Type of Public Health Impact of Harm Experienced
-Reasonably Proportional- Scale of Response Compared to Scale of Harm, Targeting to Beneficiaries Compared to Amount of Harm Experienced, Size of Population Impacted, Severity/Type/Duration of Impact, Efficacy/Cost/Cost-Effectiveness/Time to Delivery of Response
- What are the subcategories of Respond to Negative Economic Impacts?
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Assistance to Individuals and Households
Assistance to Small Businesses
Assistance to Nonprofit Organizations
Assistance to Tourism, Travel, Hospitality, and Other Impacted Industries
Also,
- What are some examples of Assistance to Individuals and Households?
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Assistance may be provided to impacted and disproportionately impacted individuals, households, and communities. As such, the following examples may be eligible uses of the Pandemic Recovery Funds.
- Food Assistance
- Emergency Housing Assistance
- Emergency Assistance for Pressing Needs: Burials, Home Repairs, Weatherization, or Other Needs
- Internet Access or Digital Literacy Assistance
- Cash Assistance
- Survivor’s Benefits
- Assistance Accessing or Applying for Public Benefits or Services
- Promoting Healthy Childhood Environments
- Addressing the Impacts of Lost Instructional Time
- Promoting Long-Term Housing Security: Affordable Housing and Homelessness
- Paid Sick, Medical, or Family Leave
- Health Insurance
- Services for the Unbanked and Underbanked
- Assistance to Unemployed and Underemployed Workers
- Recipient Unemployment Insurance Trust Funds and Related Expenses
- Addressing Health Disparities
- Housing Vouchers and Assistance Relocating
- Building Strong
- Healthy Communities through Investments in Neighborhoods
- Addressing Educational Disparities
- What should be considered when submitting a Public Safety, Public Health, or Human Services Staff project?
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Identify Government Staff and How Many
Assess Portion of Time Spent on COVID-19 Response
May Estimating the Share of Time Based on Discussions with Staff and Applying that Share to All Employees in that Position
If Unit or Division is Dedicated to Responding to Pandemic at Least Half of the Time
May Use Pandemic Recovery Funds for Payroll and Covered Benefits for Portion of Time Spent Responding to Pandemic
Public Safety Examples
Police Officers, Sheriffs, Firefighters, Emergency Medical Responders, Correctional Officers, and Dispatchers that Directly Support Public Safety Staff
Public Health Staff Examples
Medical Staff Assigned to Schools and Prisons, Laboratory Technicians, Morgue Staff, and Employees of Public Health Departments Directly Engaged in Public Health Matters
Human Services Staff Examples
Employees Providing Social Services and Public Benefits, Child Welfare Services Employees, and Child or Elder Care Employees
- What should be considered when submitting a Government Employment and Rehiring Public Sector Staff project?
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Restore Pre-Pandemic Employment
May Hire Government Employees for the Same Positions that Existed on January 27, 2020, but that were Unfilled or Eliminated as of March 3, 2021
May Hire Above Pre-Pandemic Baseline and/or Have Flexibility in Positions
-Identify Budgeted FTE Level on January 27, 2020 (Pre-Pandemic Baseline)
-Multiple Pre-Pandemic Baseline by 1.075 (Adjusted Pre-Pandemic Baseline)
-Identify Budgeted FTE Level on March 3, 2021 (Actual Number of FTEs)
-Subtract Actual Number of FTEs from Adjusted Pre-Pandemic Baseline
Support and Retain Public Sector Workers
Provide Additional Funding for Government Employees who Experienced Pay Reductions or were Furloughed
Maintain Current Compensation Levels to Prevent Layoffs
Provide Worker Retention Incentives to Persuade Employees to Remain with Employer
Administrative Costs
Associated with Above (Hiring, Support, and Retention Programs)
- What is an FTE?
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An FTE is a full-time equivalent employee.
- What are capital expenditures?
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Capital Expenditures: expenditures to acquire capital assets or expenditures to make additions, improvements, modifications, replacements, rearrangements, reinstallations, renovations, or alterations to capital assets that materially increase their value or useful life
- What are capital assets?
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Capital Assets: tangible or intangible assets used in operations having a useful life of more than one year which are capitalized in accordance with [Generally Accepted Accounting Principles] i.e lands, facilities, equipment, and intellectual property
- Is a capital expenditure an eligible use?
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A capital expenditure may be an eligible use.
- What should be considered when submitting a Premium Pay Project?
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A premium pay project may be eligible provided that the premium pay goes to eligible workers, the eligible workers are performing essential work, the pay is responsive, and the premium pay is no more than $13/hr in addition, does not exceed $25,000 during the period of performance which ends December 31, 2026, and does not merely reimburse previous premium pay already awarded. Please see below for additional information.
Eligible Workers
Public Employees OR
Critical Non-Public Sector Employees
Forced to Shoulder Substantial Risk as a Result of Pandemic
If by Virtue of Employment, Were Forced to Take on Additional Burdens and Make Great Personal Sacrifices as a Result of Pandemic
Examples- Health Care, Hospital, Home Care, Sanitation, Grocery/Restaurant, Pharmacy, Behavioral Health, Social Services, Mortuary, Laundry, Elections, Dental Care, Transportation, Hotel and Commercial Lodging, Nursing Homes, Farm Workers, Food Production, Janitors, Truck Drivers, Transit, Warehouse, Public Health and Safety, Childcare, Educators, School Staff, Human Services
Does Not Include Volunteers
Essential Work
Not Performed While Teleworking from a Residence AND
Involves Heightened Risks due to the Character of the Work During Pandemic
Regular, In-Person Interactions with Patients, the Public, or Coworkers of the Individual that is Performing the Work OR
Regular Physical Handling of Items that were Handled by, or are to be Handled by, Patients, the Public, or Coworkers of the Individual that is Performing the Work
Treasury does not define the term “regular” to maintain flexibility
Premium Pay is Responsive
Employee's Pay, including Premium Pay, is At or Below $96,525.00 OR
Employee is Not Exempt from FLSA Overtime Provisions OR
Written Justification
A brief, written narrative justification of how the premium pay or grant is responsive to workers performing essential work during the public health emergency. This could include a description of the essential workers’ duties, health or financial risks faced due to COVID-19, and why the recipient determined that the premium pay was responsive despite the workers’ higher income.
Premium Pay
Up to $13/Hour in Addition AND
Not Exceed $25,000 per Employee During Period of Performance (until December 31, 2026) AND
Does Not Reimburse Previous Premium Pay but May be Retroactive (New Cash Outlay Required)
- Can premium pay be awarded to volunteers?
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No. Premium pay may be awarded to salaried, non-salaried, and part-time workers.
- Can premium pay be awarded in addition to overtime pay already earned?
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Premium pay may be awarded to an eligible worker in addition to the overtime pay already earned by the eligible worker but in no instance may the portion of the compensation funded with the Pandemic Recovery Funds exceed $13 per hour, even if strict time-and-a-half calculation requires more.
- Who can submit a Revenue Loss project?
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Montgomery County may submit a revenue loss project.
- What should be considered when submitting a Revenue Loss project?
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Revenue Loss Must be Due to Pandemic and Funds Must Impact the Provision of Government Services
Written Justification
Government Services- Provision of Public Safety, Health and Educational Services, Construction of Hospitals, etc.
Option 1- Elect a Standard Allowance of up to $10 Million Dollars
Option 2- Calculate Actual Revenue Loss According to Formula
Max {[Base Year Revenue* (1 + Growth Adjustment) ^ (nt / 12)] - Actual General Revenue;0}
Calculate at Four Distinct Points in Time then Sum of the Four Calculations-
-December 31, 2020, December 31, 2021, December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2023 OR
-Last Day of Each of the County’s Fiscal Years Ending in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023
-^Must Choose One and Stay Consistent
Step 1- Calculate Base Year Revenue: Revenues Collected in Last Full Year Prior to Pandemic (prior to January 27, 2020)
Step 2- Estimate Counterfactual Revenue: Base Year Revenue * [(1 + Growth Adjustment) ^ (n / 12)]
nt: Number of Months Elapsed Since the End of the Base Year to the Calculation Date
Growth Adjustment: Greater of…
5.2 Percent (0.052) OR County’s Average Annual Revenue Growth in the Three Full Fiscal Years Prior to Pandemic
Step 3- Identify Actual Revenue: Revenues Collected Over the Twelve Months Immediately Preceding the Calculation Date
Step 4- Extent of the Reduction in Revenue is Equal to Counterfactual Revenue less Actual Revenue
If Actual Revenue Exceeds Counterfactual Revenue, then the Extent of the Reduction in Revenue is Set to Zero for that Calculation Date
Step 5- Sum of the Four Calculations (at the Four Distinct Points in Time) is the Actual Revenue Loss
- What should be considered when submitting a Water or Sewer Infrastructure Project?
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Necessary
Identify Need
Identify How Many Impacted
Cost-Effective, Technically Sound, Strong Labor Standards and Complies with Laws and Regulations
-If Project Relates to Drinking Water, It Must be Sustainable Over Estimated Useful Life
Examples
- What are some examples of Water and Sewer Projects?
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- Culvert Repair
- Lead Testing
- Replacement of Stormwater Infrastructure
- Infrastructure to Improve Access to Safe Drinking Water
- Replacement of Internal Plumbing and Faucets and Fixtures in Schools and Childcare Facilities
- What are some examples of eligible projects under the Clean Water State Revolving Fund?
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- Construction of Publicly Owned Treatment Works
- Water Conservation/Efficiency/Reuse Measures
- Security of Publicly Owned Treatment Works