ARRA Vehicle Acquisition Program / $600 million avaiilable

[medic190]

So if I'm understanding all of this correctly a Fire District (unit of local government) which would normally be eligible for a Community Facilities Grant (based on language here: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/cf/brief_cp_grant.htm ) would NOT be eligible for ARRA funding because of the specific language added to the ARRA?

Andy

I'm hoping that is not the case, since this appears to be the only way I'll get any help getting a replacement tanker... Not sure of your State, but in NYS, fire districts are a political subdivision of state gov't. Not really sure what that means, but we're not a municipality: taxing authority is through the Towns the districts are in...

[k3twpfire]

So if I'm understanding all of this correctly a Fire District (unit of local government) which would normally be eligible for a Community Facilities Grant (based on language here: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/cf/brief_cp_grant.htm ) would NOT be eligible for ARRA funding because of the specific language added to the ARRA?

Andy

No, a fire district would be eligible. A fire district is considered a form of municipal government.

[BC79er]

Depends on how things are arranged since Fire District has several definitions depending on where you're at (since we work with multiple versions). In some areas they call a grouping of independent departments a 'district' which is sometimes just a formal AMA agreement. Other times it's the governing structure. In many midwest states, the district is in an unincorporated area and is the "municipality" because only municipalities can collect taxes. That's the way we are here in TX, IL is pretty much the same way.

Now if the name of the organization and/or structure has "District" in the name but a separate city or town is the governing municipality for the area covered then that's a no on eligibility for sure. Taxing districts acting as municipalities in the unincorporated areas is a question mark so far. Haven't gotten an answer myself from anyone yet.

[ktb9780]

I just got off the phone with the head of this program for our state. She informs me that because of our median household income, we will only qualify for 15% of the total award.

I then asked her if I could use that to increase the size of our cash match. At first she said yes, but would have to check. I then said what if the funds were not needed until a year from now. She informed me that they could set it aside in an account. I said, so like an escrow account and she, "well something like that I guess".

I just forwarded our updated narrative (kurt) to her to get the paperwork started. Her concern was using one federal grant in support of another federal grant. If she tells me a little later on that I can't, then I'll ask what state grant is available.

Which brings me to another question. If I submit a vehicle application, can I later revoke that application and resubmit a different application, as long as I do so before the closing period?

I would kill to be able to come up with a 20+% cash match.

Jim the ONLY grant funds that I am aware of that could possibly be used as a match are excess funding from a Community Development Block Grant money from HUD, as I stated above. This is Community Facilities Grant Program from USDA; different animal.

[OsbornFPD]

Depends on how things are arranged since Fire District has several definitions depending on where you're at (since we work with multiple versions). In some areas they call a grouping of independent departments a 'district' which is sometimes just a formal AMA agreement. Other times it's the governing structure. In many midwest states, the district is in an unincorporated area and is the "municipality" because only municipalities can collect taxes. That's the way we are here in TX, IL is pretty much the same way.

Now if the name of the organization and/or structure has "District" in the name but a separate city or town is the governing municipality for the area covered then that's a no on eligibility for sure. Taxing districts acting as municipalities in the unincorporated areas is a question mark so far. Haven't gotten an answer myself from anyone yet.

well share when you do get an answer, I can't get squat from the local office and the website is all but useless except a PR machine for USDA/RD. We've been trying to get funding to construct a new station/storm shelter for the community with little cooperation from RD.

[ktb9780]

My I sent an email to USDA secretary in DC reference where the actual specific info is since their webiste is all but void of anything related to this program. I will see how she repsonds on Monday. Stay tuned!

[mtndew21]

Thanks Kurt

Might have a shot at this one with our former governor being Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack

[Catch22]

I got a reply from our local USDA guy this morning. Apparently this is the same money we're going after to purchase our station, so we're already in the works.

He did say that he saw no reason why non-profits or districts wouldn't qualify. He also said that the Secretary of Agriculture just removed police cars as eligible projects.

[ktb9780]

I got a reply from our local USDA guy this morning. Apparently this is the same money we're going after to purchase our station, so we're already in the works.

He did say that he saw no reason why non-profits or districts wouldn't qualify. He also said that the Secretary of Agriculture just removed police cars as eligible projects.

Boy that sucks, PDs don't have a single place to get grants for cars right now.

[medic190]

Got an email back from my rep. Apparently, because my town's median income is above the cap, I'm not eligible (unless this guy hasn't been briefed on the 'new' program...)

One of the eligibility requirements for a Community Facility grant is that the Median Household income of the community must be below $45,503. The Town has a Median Household Income of $49,904 so the you would not be eligible for a grant; however, they may be eligible for a loan if they are unable to obtain conventional credit at affordable rates and terms.

Anybody able to confirm / deny that the cap is still there?

[hinesfire]

Got an email back from my rep. Apparently, because my town's median income is above the cap, I'm not eligible (unless this guy hasn't been briefed on the 'new' program...)

One of the eligibility requirements for a Community Facility grant is that the Median Household income of the community must be below $45,503. The Town has a Median Household Income of $49,904 so the you would not be eligible for a grant; however, they may be eligible for a loan if they are unable to obtain conventional credit at affordable rates and terms.

Anybody able to confirm / deny that the cap is still there?

This is exactly what my specialist said. There is no new money, this is existing funding with the top 3 priorities of:
1) Public safety
2) Health care
3) Children services

The funding of $600m is not only for public safety.
Plus, the key, which she told me several times in our conversation is this is money of last resort, you have to be ineligle for credit, (read commercial loans), first before they will consider asking for all the budget info from your city. MHI plays a big role then. Each state is already given an allocation that started at the beginning of the fiscal year.

[mtndew21]

Has anyone found this grant ?
I'm seeing press releases on it and local USDA office states it exist but has no information.

[ktb9780]

Has anyone found this grant ?
I'm seeing press releases on it and local USDA office states it exist but has no information.

USDA has not reponded to my iquiry. This is all I can find:

https://www.cfda.gov/index?s=program...6cfad106a0eb15

[BC79er]

As far as I've found they've just added this money into the existing program, dedicating it towards public safety instead of general community facilities eligible things. The qualification levels haven't changed at all, but those that qualify seem to be able to get more money than in the prior program just because the piggy bank is bigger.

[neiowa]

In Iowa local offices have been "prequal"/promissing grants since Sept. Apparently they "may" have started cutting checks.

Fed thugs have to delay spending the "Stimulous" $ until primary/election season don't you know. You don't buy votes in an off year.

[Pelican631]

Depends on how things are arranged since Fire District has several definitions depending on where you're at (since we work with multiple versions). In some areas they call a grouping of independent departments a 'district' which is sometimes just a formal AMA agreement. Other times it's the governing structure. In many midwest states, the district is in an unincorporated area and is the "municipality" because only municipalities can collect taxes. That's the way we are here in TX, IL is pretty much the same way.

Now if the name of the organization and/or structure has "District" in the name but a separate city or town is the governing municipality for the area covered then that's a no on eligibility for sure. Taxing districts acting as municipalities in the unincorporated areas is a question mark so far. Haven't gotten an answer myself from anyone yet.

So in our situation, we're a Fire District with taxing authority. Our District includes both a Village (municipality per IL law) and parts of two Townships, but we are an independent unit of local government. I think the confusion for me comes from the fact that in IL, Fire Districts aren't covered by the IL Municipal Code, since there is a separate Fire District Act that covers Fire Districts and Municipal Fire Departments. However, that's a state issue, so I'm not sure the feds would even care. I would think we would be eligible, but it's hard to say since I can't get a response from USDA

Also, does anyone know if the median income requirement (below $45k or so) is based on today's median or from the 2000 census? We were under that in 2000 but probably above it now.

Andy

[BC79er]

Eligible under the regular program, but with this wording it seems to say only strict municipal agencies. As far as any of the ones we've contacted them about so far all they've done is punch it into their system and tell us the qualification levels and max funding amounts. They don't seem to care where the money is coming from, they just know that they can give the department X money right now.

[k3twpfire]

USDA funding is based on the 2000 census.

In Illinois, fire protection districts are municipal corporations, just like cities.

Reference: 70 ILCS 705/1

[jam24u]

In Iowa local offices have been "prequal"/promissing grants since Sept. Apparently they "may" have started cutting checks.

Fed thugs have to delay spending the "Stimulous" $ until primary/election season don't you know. You don't buy votes in an off year.

I just flippin' knew it.

Mntdew Rob called me while I was underway to a political caucus weekend. Seems he's running into no go's as well with this.

Trying to talk to both our local governments about these funding opportunities is like talking to a tree. Trying to get them to see that the money they were going to spend anyway could be used for my fire project as well. If they take advantage of support opportunities.

Well a yelling tree can take it I guess.

good luck Rob

[toddman]

Spoke to our USDA rep about this. She indicated that they have been instructed to not make requests for non-construction type projects using the ARRA funds.