(A) There is hereby created a new fund with the Hancock County Auditor’s Office, which shall be entitled, “ARP Grant Fund,” and the Hancock County Auditor has issued a fund number of 8960 with respect to the forthcoming funds and such funds shall be non-reverting.
(B) The purpose of the fund is to be used for the following limited reasons, as delineated in Section 603(C) of the ARP and in accordance with United States Treasury guidance:
(1) To respond to the public health emergency with respect to the Coronavirus disease of 2019 (Covid-19), or its negative economic impacts, including but not limited to, assistance to households, small businesses, and non-profits, and also to aid any impacted industries, such as tourism, travel, and hospitality;
(2) To respond to workers performing essential work during the Covid-19 public health emergency by providing premiums to pay eligible works of a metropolitan city, non-entitlement unit of local government, or county that are performing such essential work, or by providing grants to eligible employers for eligible workers who perform this essential work;
(3) For the provision of government services to the extent of the reduction in revenue of a non-entitlement unit of local government or county as a consequence of the Covid-19 public health emergency relative to revenues collected in the most recent full fiscal year of the county or local government, prior to the emergency; or
(4) To make necessary investments in water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure as approved by the United States Treasury.
(C) The funds shall be appropriated by the Hancock County Council before use.
(D) The expenditure of all funds shall be approved by the County Board of Commissioners with any and all claims to be paid from the Hancock County ARP Fund.
(E) The Board of Commissioners will establish the plan, conditions, and rules upon which the funds are to be requested and used.
(F) Any unused funds shall be paid back to the United States Treasury when required.
(G) The Hancock County Auditor shall keep accurate and complete financial records of the receipt and expenditure of any and all ARP Funds deposited and paid.
(H) No funds received in the ARP Fund or account shall be used for any type of deposit into any pension fund.
(Ord. 2021-5A, passed 5-4-21)