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Summary of New Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund
The National Association of Counties (NACo) held a membership-wide call on October 3 to review the new Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund (LATCF) payments announced by the U.S. Department of the Treasury on September 29.
Below is a summary of this funding opportunity from AOC staff and directions to apply for the funding:
Summary
The American Rescue Plan (ARPA) established the LATCF, which provides the U.S. Department of the Treasury with $2 billion to eligible revenue sharing counties and eligible tribal governments across the nation, in fiscal years 2022 and 2023. Funds may be used for any governmental purpose except for lobbying activity. Note that funds are subject to Build America, Buy America Act unless received within the first six months of distribution and federal prevailing wage rate requirements do not apply.
Of the $2 billion allocated, $750 million is set aside for each fiscal year (the remaining $500 million has been designated specifically for federally recognized tribal governments) to all counties that qualify.
Statute defines an eligible revenue sharing county as any county that:
- Is independent of any other unit of local government;
- Is the principle provider of government services for the area within its jurisdiction; and
- Has experienced a negative revenue impact due to implementations of a federal program or because of a change to such a program.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury is defining a negative revenue impact as a county that participates in the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior as well as the Refuge Revenue Sharing program administered by Fish and Wildlife Services. All 36 of Oregon’s counties qualify for this additional funding source.
A county is guaranteed a minimum of $50,000 and a maximum of $6 million - the exact amount is dictated by a formula methodology which can be accessed here.
A county is not required to share any funds with other municipalities (cities or special districts). Once a county applies, funds will be sent directly to the county in equal amounts in 2022 and 2023. Funds also can be saved until needed, there is no deadline to spend allocated funds.
Click here to access the LATCF funding application.
Click here for the U.S. Department of the Treasury LATCF allocation list.
The portal is currently open to accept applications. In order for a county to receive funds, the application must be submitted no later than Jan. 31, 2023. There will not be a second application if a county misses this window.
For questions, please contact Branden Pursinger.
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