MINEOLA, NY - Nassau County Comptroller Jack Schnirman announced the release of a new accountability tool on the Open Nassau Transparency Hub designed to transparently track the way Nassau County is spending the funding provided under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) includes funding for the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (CLFRF). Per the U.S. Treasury, the County will receive a total of $385 million in two equal distributions. The first distribution, in the amount of $192.5 million, was received on May 19, 2021. The second distribution is expected in May of 2022. Of the first distribution $162.90 million has been appropriated by the County. The County must incur obligations against these funds by December 31, 2024 and must expend the funds by December 31, 2026. This tool displays information so that the people of Nassau can understand where ARPA funding is being appropriated and spent.
The platform details specific data points as to how the funding will be allocated in Nassau County. For example, the County has appropriated $100 million to fund a Household Assistance Program for
$375 to qualifying households that have experience negative impacts due to the pandemic, as well as an allocation of $62.9 million to fourteen programs designed to assist impacted residents, businesses and industries, and invest in water and sewer infrastructure, and expand certain social services programs. As our new platform is launched, we currently list Adopted Revenues, Adopted Expenses, and Household Assistance Program (HAP) expenses. In the near future, updates will include a more detailed breakdown of ARPA revenue and expenses.
“As we’ve said numerous times, with unprecedented trillions of dollars worth of Federal and State money being infused into local governments, it is incumbent upon governments to approach this rare moment responsibly, with an eye toward strategic long-term sustainability,” said Nassau County Comptroller Jack Schnirman. “This tool is easy-to-use and visually displays information in an easy to digest format, so that the people of Nassau can understand where ARPA funding is being spent.”
In its June 2021 report, Guiding Principles: Making Smart Investments with Stimulus Funding, the Comptroller’s Office highlighted the need to provide accountability from our local governments by
sharing data on the use and impact of federal funds. Outlined as the #1 best practice cited in the Guiding Principles report, this new tool fulfills that need, as well as the commitment of the Comptroller’s Office to use Open Nassau to provide accountability. Additionally, this need was discussed in the Comptroller’s Office’s testimony on the budget, as well as the Comptroller’s Office’s budget report.
Financial experts and think-tanks around the country have provided recommendations to ensure the long-term value of investments and financial stability of its government using the one-time infusion of federal resources. To that end, think-tanks, such as Citizens Budget Commission, National Association of Counties (NACo), and Fiscal Policy Institute, recommend providing accountability by sharing data on the use and impact of federal funds. Examples of successful case studies cited in the Guiding Principles report include the City of Denver, Colorado, and Howard County, Maryland.
“For many local governments, the CARES Act and ARPA funding are substantial and could be transformational in their recovery efforts. Local leaders will need to decide how to best use the funding while being consistent with the federal requirements,” concluded Schnirman. “The funding provided under ARPA provides a unique opportunity for state and local governments to make strategic investments in long-lived assets, enhance financial stability and cover temporary operating shortfalls until economic conditions and operations normalize. Now the residents of Nassau can see how we’re making these investments and track the County’s ARPA spending.”
To view the new tool, visit https://nassau-arpa.finance.socrata.com.