Local Government Coronavirus Relief Program Guidelines (07 ...

Local Government Coronavirus Relief Program Guidelines (07/21/2020)

The State of Nebraska has announced the Local Government Coronavirus Relief Program, which seeks to provide reimbursement for necessary COVID-19 related expenditures incurred by Counties, Cities, Municipalities, Villages and Public Utility Districts.

For Public Assistance Questions, please contact: Patrick Conway | Public Assistance Supervisor | Nebraska Emergency Management Agency Patrick.conway@ | 402-440-2376 Molly Bargmann | Recovery Section Manager | Nebraska Emergency Management Agency molly.bargmann@ | 402-471-7182

For all other questions: Upon approval of your application, you will be provided with a single point of contact to provide technical assistance and answer questions as needed.

Additional Information:

To Apply: A link to the application will be shared on on July 17, 2020.

A. Program Objectives The State of Nebraska has announced the Local Government Coronavirus Relief Program which seeks to make payments to Local Counties, Cities, Municipalities, Villages, and Public Utility Districts for eligible costs related to COVID-19 on a reimbursement basis. The Local Government Coronavirus Relief Program is being launched to local governments through the publication of Program Guidelines, Application Forms and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to clarify eligibility and compliance requirements.

B. Eligible Applicants Eligible applicants are Nebraska Local Government Entities to include Counties, Cities, Municipalities, Villages, and Public Utility Districts that have incurred COVID-19 related expenses outside of the normal course of business. In order for County Governments to receive funds, the County Courthouse and County Offices must have been open for business to the public on a non-appointment basis by June 15, 2020.

Entities must first seek reimbursement for eligible COVID-19 related costs from the FEMA Public Assistance Program. The Local Government Coronavirus Relief Program will be used as the 25% cost share requirement for approved FEMA Public Assistance costs. Any eligible Local Government Coronavirus Relief Program costs that were not deemed eligible FEMA Public Assistance costs would be paid from the Local Government Coronavirus Relief Program.

Entities must also have their eligibility approved prior to requesting reimbursement.

Douglas County and the local political subdivisions within Douglas County, with the exception of the City of Omaha, will be funded through the Douglas County Coronavirus Relief Program and will be ineligible to receive reimbursement pursuant to State of Nebraska's Local Government Coronavirus Relief Program. The State of Nebraska and Douglas County will cost share 50/50 the reimbursement of the City of Omaha for its eligible and approved program expenses.

C. Eligible Expenses The CARES Act provides that payments from the Fund may only be used to cover costs that:

are necessary expenditures incurred due to the public health emergency with respect to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID?19);

were not accounted for in the budget most recently approved as of March 27, 2020 (the date of enactment of the CARES Act) for the State or government; and

were incurred during the period that begins on March 1, 2020 and ends on December 30, 2020.

Although a broad range of uses is allowed, revenue replacement is not a permissible use of Fund payments.

Necessary Expenditures include: Acquisition and distribution of: o Personal Protective Equipment o Sanitizing Products o Testing Equipment o Ventilators o Other necessary COVID-19 medical supplies and equipment Temporary Isolation or Quarantine Sites o Other related necessary expenditures Medical Transportation Expenses for Sanitizing Public Areas Temporary Emergency Staffing and over-time costs for staff that is substantially dedicated to the mitigation or response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Direct payroll costs for public health and public safety employees for services dedicated to mitigating or responding to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. Note: Presumed payroll costs will not be reimbursed. (Click here for updated guidance regarding presumed costs for public safety employees.)

Funds may not be used for: indirect costs; wages or salaries that are already paid (note: wages paid to compensate additional hours necessary to the project are a reimbursable expense); alcohol, tobacco and entertainment; politically related activities (ex. lobbying services etc.); individual donations or fundraising activities; costs incurred outside of the contract period of the program; and other costs deemed unallowable.

Nonexclusive examples of ineligible expenditures Expenses for the State share of Medicaid Damages covered by insurance Payroll or benefits expenses for employees whose work duties are not substantially dedicated to mitigating or responding to the COVID-19 public health emergency

 Expenses that have been or will be reimbursed under any federal program, such as the reimbursement by the federal government pursuant to the CARES Act of contributions by States to State unemployment funds

Reimbursement to donors for donated items or services. Workforce bonuses other than hazard pay or overtime Severance pay Legal settlements

D. Application Process Your entity must be approved as an eligible entity prior to requesting reimbursement. You must provide your entity information actual costs through 6/30/20, and estimated costs through 12/30/2020 via the link provided at . Each entity should submit only one application. You will receive a notification of qualification decision along with a username and password to access the reimbursement system if approved. Login information and communications will be sent to the Primary & Secondary Contact Emails provided during the certification process.

Schedule of Events:

Application Window Open Eligible Cost Window Eligibility Decision & Credentials Provided Reimbursement Window Open

7/17/2020 ? 12/1/2020 3/1/2020 ? 12/30/2020 Up to 10 days from application 7/31/2020 ? 2/1/2021

E. Reimbursement Process The expectation is that entities seek reimbursement first from FEMA Public Assistance, then from the Coronavirus Relief Fund, however the process for requesting reimbursement is the same once a FEMA Project Worksheet (PW) is obligated. Eligible entities who do not submit project worksheets for FEMA Public Assistance will not be eligible for reimbursement of costs from the Cares Act Coronavirus Relief Fund. For costs that are eligible for FEMA Public Assistance but do not yet have a FEMA Project Worksheet (PW) written, the State will assist the entity in creating a PW in FEMA's Grants Portal. Please note, this could extend the payment timeline dependent upon the time to obligate a PW. For Counties, Cities and Villages, and Public Utilities, the Local Government Coronavirus Relief Program will be used to meet the 25% cost share requirement for FEMA Public Assistance projects. For more information on how to navigate the Public Assistance process, please visit NEMA's website by clicking here. Please note, you will still be required to apply to this Local Government Coronavirus Reimbursement Program, as outlined above, to request reimbursement from the Local Government Coronavirus Reimbursement Program.

For those expenses not deemed eligible for FEMA Public Assistance reimbursement, eligible entities may submit costs for reimbursement through the Local Government Coronavirus Relief Program. Payments will be made on a reimbursement basis only. All requests for reimbursement will be subject to a detailed review of cost documentation to confirm eligibility with federal regulations and cost allowability.

Approved entities will be provided system access to submit their requests for reimbursement for eligible expenses for the Local Government Coronavirus Relief Program and will be required to provide supporting cost documentation with each request to include (but not limited to) invoice, payroll, contract, proof of

payment. The State will then review the applicable documentation and provide reimbursement for those deemed eligible.

Entities may submit reimbursement requests as needed for eligible costs incurred 3-1-2020 through 1230-2020. Final reimbursement costs must be submitted on our before 2-1-2021 to allow time for State processing and disbursement prior to final closeout of the program.

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