HomeMy WebLinkAbout042224 - County Countdown – April 22_ 2024ALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them.
Every other week, NACo’s County Countdown reviews top federal policy advocacy items
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NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES
APRIL 22, 2024
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Every other week, NACo's County Countdown reviews top federal policy advocacy items with an eye towards counties and the intergovernmental partnership.
Watch the video <https://www.mmsend50.com/link.cfm?r=b_5cxdcAxAVR3h0NaLyCOA~~&pe=qJN2JK3LI7dYNxLbi8mqJ0gsx-zipmApJEFT9GX8-x8d2BOb42fREJ3symImfvaegCfcerhQCXF6rp9C6sgLMw~~&t=7OiWnqRXVnU7h7L6JbIAHQ~~>
and explore NACo resources below.
Estimated read time: 3 min. | Video duration: 5.5 min.
1
ARPA Guidance Update: A Win for Counties <https://www.mmsend50.com/link.cfm?r=b_5cxdcAxAVR3h0NaLyCOA~~&pe=SIni8EObtgJ-UO8NUcc1HO9J5lYS8j9dBlpNESZSCIAN-vq8MWLzkeH98eoDn93R-j9o14rhYg8pkurtz5ASJQ~~&t=7O
iWnqRXVnU7h7L6JbIAHQ~~>
<https://www.mmsend50.com/link.cfm?r=b_5cxdcAxAVR3h0NaLyCOA~~&pe=XkuiQ-GLivd81qqAOSlwhw7V1tGKzNEGNSm4WETiLn5Fs-z6GdeuPQJ4AyXQiCvRAWhi6zdjijT8raWE99iedg~~&t=7OiWnqRXVnU7h7L6JbIAHQ~~>
Last month's U.S. Treasury update offers substantial flexibility for counties <https://www.mmsend50.com/link.cfm?r=b_5cxdcAxAVR3h0NaLyCOA~~&pe=3wdp16lADM5CEvGz8B84nPHQiDQO3rrgKfJ91q81-czWOkc6ttno1uTY
pVUMztbyqTofGaM1IBJwwpBITzZSYw~~&t=7OiWnqRXVnU7h7L6JbIAHQ~~> using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF), incorporating key suggestions from
NACo.
* County personnel: Extended personnel costs now cover a larger list of eligible positions through the end of 2026.
* Subrecipient flexibility: Subrecipient entities are not required to comply with the Dec. 31, 2024 obligation deadline, easing pressure on county timelines.
* Reclassification of funds: After Dec. 31, if a county has funds that have been obligated but not expended, the county may reclassify those funds for other eligible uses.
* Reporting reminder: All SLFRF recipients must submit Project and Expenditure reports by April 30. For details, visit NACo’s ARPA Hub <https://www.mmsend50.com/link.cfm?r=b_5cxdcAxAVR3h0NaLyCOA~~&pe
=9dniUghjJ957a4YwjFJsQ3Evgs0Lm3PBbFwUW3u_LJUpauUt7zfkT_MLKPJuFRTfJ7H3Mbl8kLZXu5jOzgGJWg~~&t=7OiWnqRXVnU7h7L6JbIAHQ~~> .
2
Counties directly eligible for competitive transportation grants <https://www.mmsend50.com/link.cfm?r=b_5cxdcAxAVR3h0NaLyCOA~~&pe=LAbnz73H_--0-LYDbOiQq1Sup6ZhLEpRFgxZbG-Rbo003trQ5dpqzfADjykBX-bdIaPHO
yFoRmRWZ1H7sjJr4w~~&t=7OiWnqRXVnU7h7L6JbIAHQ~~>
<https://www.mmsend50.com/link.cfm?r=b_5cxdcAxAVR3h0NaLyCOA~~&pe=yV-Yl241xAkhoHxRaH0qQNRWhA8OsJL3bR9uo2fZuHfLA2aHGeaU2Alo9Pbts-NvaNtlBZQlMLKC8UpMNTwWgg~~&t=7OiWnqRXVnU7h7L6JbIAHQ~~>
On March 25, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced <https://www.mmsend50.com/link.cfm?r=b_5cxdcAxAVR3h0NaLyCOA~~&pe=xlpOW0rmYDnoywqqi4wap1i6-UkgvJo88csYJeGvw50iqSbmriERc94rgwB8ndvOY
Du340HWfiFXNrsNOcPqHw~~&t=7OiWnqRXVnU7h7L6JbIAHQ~~> the availability of $5.2 billion in competitive funding as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law <https://www.mmsend50.com/link.cfm?r=b_5cxdcA
xAVR3h0NaLyCOA~~&pe=B3tNaYkE7rKxIc8usD5BDwyRglhpyBaRYCbZhn1_ojCm29FcJD0fEMNXeeQJyBMognzs9uDxfdVKXxgZzAIgoQ~~&t=7OiWnqRXVnU7h7L6JbIAHQ~~> . Counties are directly eligible.
* Streamlined applications: A simplified process will assist counties in applying by the May 6 deadline.
* Broad funding scope: The USDOT Notice of Funding Opportunity packages <https://www.mmsend50.com/link.cfm?r=b_5cxdcAxAVR3h0NaLyCOA~~&pe=HUufg9JmG8PErDhswH45Ln_4O0kON6vN5iIftCFSHE_TJ1PCad0PurFwj_au9E
DUjZvGStEuJp1Ikzsn4z2R_A~~&t=7OiWnqRXVnU7h7L6JbIAHQ~~> the Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program, Mega grants and INFRA grants, allowing counties to apply using a single application.
Learn more here <https://www.mmsend50.com/link.cfm?r=b_5cxdcAxAVR3h0NaLyCOA~~&pe=eWq9I24GMpkh31gMU9BGn5w6I6gzYwO6WMPyc09iTjmWvQiiF18SKnb3IebPFhgWUltP5_NafkfdE9gciQlICg~~&t=7OiWnqRXVnU7h7L6JbIAHQ~~>
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3
Federal Uniform Guidance Revisions <https://www.mmsend50.com/link.cfm?r=b_5cxdcAxAVR3h0NaLyCOA~~&pe=E4PqjctRWBn6mNAcEMutaa1l2Sp_Lny9l3Zcom_Bti3HDekSuTG5pB_aoMXvK_ckkXFpUVFfIgPdMtweeSe9Rg~~&t=7OiWnqRX
VnU7h7L6JbIAHQ~~>
<https://www.mmsend50.com/link.cfm?r=b_5cxdcAxAVR3h0NaLyCOA~~&pe=zGqfML1j6cby8ogaE-fhdxejSCvQTOJ_WraSksrEIf3jhBfw7Y_H77Qhr9FaUh3a5Bfp5Lcrt9r5zF65Y_dZEA~~&t=7OiWnqRXVnU7h7L6JbIAHQ~~>
Recent updates from the White Office Office of Management and Budget simplify federal grant processes <https://www.mmsend50.com/link.cfm?r=b_5cxdcAxAVR3h0NaLyCOA~~&pe=JH3zLOEzXvVBzV1TsnYwoXFvM4-eBIxF
pn-X3BkgbdPsIUhynML2zaFYTsg4wu44TaTMWSXzgkxnRhLJmlmCSQ~~&t=7OiWnqRXVnU7h7L6JbIAHQ~~> , significantly impacting how counties manage federal funds.
* Reduced burdens: Key changes include simplified grant applications and higher thresholds for single audits.
* Implementation by FY 2025: Counties should be prepared for these changes to take effect October 1, 2024.
4
EPA Sets New Standards for PFAS in Drinking Water <https://www.mmsend50.com/link.cfm?r=b_5cxdcAxAVR3h0NaLyCOA~~&pe=WbbMP516HLio-ufk9W_fY197H2O-2G6up4U3wCOGtyk0ewLGETK1qrZiMWe4XnomX_D4rhIGfTzRkWUZcjdK
aw~~&t=7OiWnqRXVnU7h7L6JbIAHQ~~>
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The EPA's new regulations set stringent limits on PFAS levels, impacting counties that manage water utilities.
* Tough standards: Limits for PFOA and PFOS are set at four parts per trillion, with significant cost implications for counties.
* Stay tuned: NACo will provide updates <https://www.mmsend50.com/link.cfm?r=b_5cxdcAxAVR3h0NaLyCOA~~&pe=TetpxpIS5ZUEdeZa2oc3mfo8rf2lvA1Jn_M34BxVIgQ639jGFBFNR9d-ZwW62sjesYv04ijv0EoAHPHVuNiHPQ~~&t=7Oi
WnqRXVnU7h7L6JbIAHQ~~> and guidance to help counties comply with these new standards.
5
INSIGHTS FROM NACo's U.S.-MEXICO BORDER VISIT <https://www.mmsend50.com/link.cfm?r=b_5cxdcAxAVR3h0NaLyCOA~~&pe=vpPuK5cTYEx4nQz3lsOV1_xQVXpxX_ESEe69c3LY2Tgrz6EIT2tQSEjELkEfhYUf06A8yOTW7uBSIHobACfvpg~~
&t=7OiWnqRXVnU7h7L6JbIAHQ~~>
<https://www.mmsend50.com/link.cfm?r=b_5cxdcAxAVR3h0NaLyCOA~~&pe=_Thu8VPmasNeIT8waAJSKwpAt_jELUVEu9MxbdNmcI9Vg84-FGAyF_5jJ6sMcNQ6u2OHjXpnHY07T0fb83bqig~~&t=7OiWnqRXVnU7h7L6JbIAHQ~~>
County leaders' recent visit to the U.S.-Mexico border <https://www.mmsend50.com/link.cfm?r=b_5cxdcAxAVR3h0NaLyCOA~~&pe=-hoBSbqtQWB46TXzm4cs_bLsToA20oRsEy-hi9dJpEfIW6GK1HpdfdESsyKxnlE0h-20xDcde-WppZy
cwn-Wkg~~&t=7OiWnqRXVnU7h7L6JbIAHQ~~> shed light on urgent needs and challenges at the border, emphasizing the importance of intergovernmental collaboration.
* Valuable perspectives: The trip highlighted <https://www.mmsend50.com/link.cfm?r=b_5cxdcAxAVR3h0NaLyCOA~~&pe=tFb5mTatMBdzX_clUjqY6zumuvXC_0U9eClMX5l0mjcHTPVHT6AJ1zFfsbwZ4TUdVLmqZHYT0bY6H0ecdzRnYQ~~
&t=7OiWnqRXVnU7h7L6JbIAHQ~~> the critical role of counties in managing border security and migrant welfare.
* NACo advocacy: Counties continue to advocate <https://www.mmsend50.com/link.cfm?r=b_5cxdcAxAVR3h0NaLyCOA~~&pe=gJvd5SQRpLMOcgUHCUnRC4g6eWsbdORXq0L2q8xNR2UVBgq18zqVJg_yOyo3r13MPAa4iSpuzbh0Ci_dY00RFA~
~&t=7OiWnqRXVnU7h7L6JbIAHQ~~> for sensible immigration reforms that support county efforts.
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