Sac County Wants Public Input on How to Spend Fed Covid Funds

Listen: Kimberly Nava, Sacramento County

Here is the direct line to the survey:

https://deloittesurvey.deloitte.com/Community/se/3FC11B2663D36617

​​Sacramento County invites residents, businesses, special districts and community organizations to provide feedback on community needs that have developed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in on line survey.

The Community Needs Survey will be available June 15-30, and feedback provided will be aggregated and provided to Sacramento County leaders and the Board of Supervisors as they strategize and plan the use of funds provided to the County through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

The Community Needs Survey is available in a variety of languages. To access that language, click "Language" on the top of this​ page. Google Translate will automatically translate the survey.

On March 11, 2021, President Joe Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319 )into law. The $1.9 trillion package, based on President Biden's American Rescue Plan, is intended to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, including public health and economic impacts. 

As part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, the $362 billion Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund provides fiscal aid to support urgent COVID-19 response efforts, cover increased expenditures, replenish lost revenue and mitigate economic harm from the COVID—19 pandemic. 

Sacramento County will receive a total of $301.4 million in two installments, with 50% ($150 million) provided beginning in May 2021 and the balance delivered approximately 12 months later. Funds may cover costs from March 3, 2021 through December 24, 2024.

The County may use the funds to:

• Support public health expenditures related to the COVID-19 pandemic
• Address negative economic impacts caused by the public health emergency
• Serve low-income communities and individuals, families and businesses hardest-hit by the pandemic
• Replace public sector revenue lost due to the pandemic
• Provide premium pay for essential workers
• Invest in necessary improvements to water, sewer and broadband infrastructure

How the County Will Determine the Use of the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund

The process for determining the use of funds will begin June 15, when the public can share opinions about priorities for State and Local Recovery Funds spending with a Community Needs Survey. Additionally, County departments will be surveyed to define priority investment areas to address County needs related to the COVID-19 impact and recovery. Both surveys will be available June 15-30.

The data and information collected in both surveys will be compiled and shared with the Board during one of its regularly scheduled meetings this summer. County leadership and the Board of Supervisors will provide further direction for funds.

Once priorities and Board guidance is set, County leadership will develop a comprehensive plan for use of the funds. This will include an open competitive process, where the County will launch a solicitation of proposals for any external use of funds. The process will follow County guidelines with stipulations in place for necessary documentation tracked for reimbursement purposes in compliance with U.S. Treasury Guidelines.

The County will regularly report out the use of funds on the ARP website​ and to the Board of Supervisors at their public meetings.