As you begin to gather feedback on how your local ARPA funds should be spent, you might consider the following questions as you formulate your criteria for uses/requests:
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Does the use/request follow the intent of the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (aka ARPA)?
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Fight the pandemic and support families and businesses struggling with its public health and economic impact
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Maintain vital public services, even amid declines in revenue resulting from the crisis
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Build a strong, resilient, and equitable recovery by making investments that support long-term growth and opportunity
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Does the use/request comply with the Town Plan?
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If the Town has a Master Plan or any other plans, studies or reports, is the use/request included in them?
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If the Town has a Capital Improvement Plan, is the use/request contained in the CIP?
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Does the use/request set a precedent that will be difficult for the Town to fulfill for others in the future? (ex. stormwater project on private property)
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Does the use/request create an ongoing expense that will need to be funded with property taxes when ARPA funds have been exhausted? (ex. hiring new Town employees)
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Does the use/request have broad community benefit or does it benefit just a few?
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Does the use/request bring long-term value to the community for generations to come?
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Can the use/request leverage other grant funds? (ex. Town Hall improvements – town could apply for funding through new source from H.518; paving projects – has the Town applied for a paving grant from VTrans?)
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Can the use/request be redirected to an existing program with the State’s ARPA (or other funds)? (ex. direct assistance to households for housing expenses, refer them to: Housing Resources for Vermonters in Need)