OML UPDATE AT-A-GLANCE
Here are the top four things you need to know about this past week:
• The League is excited to announce that we will be holding this years annual conference in-person once again at the Renaissance hotel in downtown Columbus. We have a great program this year and we are excited to offer our attendees an agenda packed with valuable information covering timely issues that Ohio's local leaders need to navigate these unprecedented times. In addition to sessions dealing exclusively with the myriad of unique challenges resulting from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, our agenda will offer many sessions addressing many other critical local concerns that local leaders are facing. Read more and find the registration link in the article below.
• The initial deadline for Non-Entitlement Units of local government (NEU) to apply for their allocation of Federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars was Saturday, September 4. As the U.S. Treasury requires states to determine which NEUs are unresponsive and redistribute the allocation proportionally to the NEUs that were responsive, the Ohio Office of Budget and Management (OBM) is currently in the process of contacting entities that have not applied. In order to allow as many communities to participate in the distribution process as possible, OBM will keep the application portal open to all NEUs that want to apply until September 24. Even if a municipality returns some or all of the unused funds by December 31, 2026, of the distribution they are entitled to receive, the accumulation of interest derived from having the funds in their financial institution can be used for any governmental purpose. Read more in the article below.
• By failing to make proposed a new state legislative district map available to the public by the constitutional September 1 deadline, the Ohio Redistricting Commission is now “in conflict” with the Ohio Constitution. According to the new redistricting process created in 2015 by a voter-approved constitutional amended, the commission had until this past Wednesday to approve new state legislative districts with bipartisan support. According to the new redistricting rules, the commission now has until September 15 to approve a new map in lieu of a bipartisan deal by September 1.
• Next week, on Thursday, September 9 at 11 a.m. the League along with the Ohio Municipal Attorneys Association (OMAA) will be hosting a webinar entitled “Broadband: Technology, Regulation, and Both State and Federal Funding.” To learn more and to register, click HERE.
DEADLINE FOR NON-ENTITLEMENT UNITS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT (NEU) TO APPLY FOR AMERICAN RESUE PLAN ACT (ARPA) FUNDS EXTENDED UNTIL SEPTEMBER 24
The initial deadline for Non-Entitlement Units of local government (NEU) to apply for their allocation of Federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars, was September 4, 2021. The
U.S. Treasury requires the state to determine which NEUs are unresponsive and redistribute the allocation proportionally to the NEUs that were responsive. The Ohio Office of Budget and Management (OBM) is currently working through the process of contacting entities that have not applied, and they intend to keep the application portal open to all NEUs that want to apply.
More than 1,700 of the 2,200 eligible NEUs have applied for funding. You can find the list of NEUs that have not yet applied HERE. OBM anticipates that it will take several weeks to contact all unresponsive NEUs and will therefore extend the timeframe and keep the application portal open through Friday, September 24.
These funds are an opportunity to invest one-time dollars into Ohio communities for benefits that can last for years. Funds need to be obligated by December 31, 2024 and completely spent by December 31, 2026. Given the long timeline to spend, OBM is encouraging NEUs to apply and take time to plan. Interest earned on these dollars does not need to go back into the program but can be used for any governmental purpose. NEUs can apply and start earning interest while they are strategically planning how best to use their dollars.
The NEUs that have not yet applied can do so HERE. The application is simple and there are step-by-step instructions on the site. If anyone is having trouble they can email grants@obm.ohio.gov. You can also find recorded webinars with more information about the opportunity HERE.
REGISTRATION OPEN FOR LEAGUE’S UPCOMING IN-PERSON ANNUAL CONFERENCE
We are excited to hold this years conference in-person once again at the Renaissance hotel in downtown Columbus. To ensure the safety of all of our attendees, we will be requiring all unvaccinated guests to wear a mask.
We have a great program this year and we are excited to offer our attendees an agenda packed with valuable information covering timely issues that Ohio's local leaders need to navigate these unprecedented times.
In addition to sessions dealing exclusively with the myriad of unique challenges resulting from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, our agenda will offer many sessions addressing many other critical local concerns that local leaders are facing.
Attendees will hear from experts who will address important pandemic-related issues such as changes to the municipal income tax, federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and teleworking.
The program will cover many other critical local concerns, such as affordable housing, cyber security, grants for brownfield demolition and police body cameras, racial equity, broadband and the 2020 Census.
Additionally, as members have found our past roundtable discussions an important opportunity to network with local officials from communities that share similar demographics, we will be offering city and village roundtables to ensure participants have the chance to build critical relationships, share information and exchange best practices.
More details including the tentative agenda and the link to register are HERE. Make sure you register soon. We look forward to having you join us!
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF PUBLIC ENTITIES POOL OF OHIO (PEP) MEMBER SERVICES
PEP members are entitled to benefits that help them better serve their communities. Some are time-sensitive, so take action soon.
PEP+ Grant: Up Tp $1,000 for Members: As part of PEP's loss control and risk management initiative, PEP members may now apply for a grant of up to $1,000. Funds are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so it's important to apply ASAP. Grants are awarded to help offset qualifying expenses covering safety items that help prevent or reduce liability claims or property losses. Funds are available for purchases or expenses incurred during the application period. Access the PEP+ Grant Program application by visiting www.pepohio.org or emailing pepgrantprogram@gmail.com.
Legal Access Hotline: Free Consultations: When you need a lawyer's opinion, put your PEP membership to work. Every authorized PEP member is eligible for up to 90 minutes of free legal consultation per year, covering issues associated with human resources, zoning, land use, open records/open meetings, and more. Authorized PEP member representatives seeking legal consultation services should call the PEP Legal Access Hotline at (877) 250-5545 to request up to 90 minutes of free advice, guidance or information.
PEP Police Academy Law Enforcement Resources: As a 2021 initiative, PEP is pleased to be able to provide its members with new law enforcement resources. PEP is hosting bimonthly webinars in collaboration with Greg Beck and Mel Lute of the law firm Baker, Dublikar, Beck, Wiley & Mathews. In addition, the firm will provide one sample law enforcement policy per month which will be available to all agencies, regardless of whether or not those agencies attended a webinar. Members may then use the Legal Access Hotline (also provided in conjunction with Baker, Dublikar) to further customize the sample policy to their agency's specific needs.
Law Enforcement Webinars: Did you miss the latest PEP Police Academy Webinar? No worries, you can still watch them on-demand. For more information on PEP Police Academy or to watch previous webinars, visit www.pepohio.org.
