HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2023.12.07 - 40848
AGENDA ITEM: Appropriating American Rescue Plan Act – Local Fiscal Recovery Funds for WRC
Hardship Assistance Program
DEPARTMENT: Water Resources Commissioner
MEETING: Board of Commissioners
DATE: Thursday, December 7, 2023 6:00 PM - Click to View Agenda
ITEM SUMMARY SHEET
COMMITTEE REPORT TO BOARD
Resolution #2023-3582 _ 23-170
Motion to adopt the attached suggested resolution.
ITEM CATEGORY SPONSORED BY
Budget Amendment Gwen Markham
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
The Cities of Pontiac, Hazel Park, Oak Park, and the Township of Royal Oak, along with other
overburdened communities in Oakland County, were disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19
pandemic which exacerbated existing economic challenges in operating and maintaining drinking
water and sewer services that are essential to protect public health. Existing water assistance
programs that provide financial assistance to households for water bills are intended for households
living at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.
In Oakland County 9% of households are considered in poverty but approximately 22% of
households earn between 200% to 300% of the federal poverty level, a population known by the
acronym “ALICE” which stands for, Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed and such asset-
limited and income-constrained households are unable to afford the basic costs of living, like
housing, food, transportation, health care, and utilities. Based on the most recent ALICE report from
the United Way for Southeastern Michigan, the ALICE population has household incomes that are
too low to pay for basic costs of living in Oakland County, but too high to qualify for programs like
the Water Residential Assistance Program offered by the Great Lakes Water Authority.
For households earning just above qualifying income limits of existing assistance programs, even a
small increase in the basic costs of living or a decrease in income, can be the difference between
being financially stable and experiencing a financial hardship. The WRC, in partnership with the
United Way for Southeastern Michigan, developed the WRC Hardship Assistance Program, to
provide resources to households experiencing an unexpected and temporary financial hardships
that would not otherwise qualify for assistance. By lowering household water costs through
plumbing repairs, monthly bill payment assistance, or reduction of arrearages, residents are more
likely to meet their basic household needs.
The WRC Hardship Assistance Program will support the economic resiliency and health of
households experiencing temporary financial hardships, in addition to protecting public health and
the long-term financial sustainability of water systems. The WRC Hardship Assistance Program will
be offered to all Oakland County communities connected to public water and sewer systems and will
be funded through public and private donations. Funding in the amount of $200,000 is needed to
provide direct utility assistance for qualifying residents including plumbing repairs, monthly bill
payment assistance, or reduction of arrearages.
Funding in the amount of $100,000 is needed to provide a robust marketing and outreach program
to deliver utility assistance to eligible households.
BUDGET AMENDMENT REQUIRED: Yes
Committee members can contact Michael Andrews, Policy and Fiscal Analysis Supervisor at
248.425.5572 or andrewsmb@oakgov.com, or the department contact persons listed for additional
information.
CONTACT
Kelsey Cooke, WRC Manager and Chief Legal Officer
Sara Rubino, Drainage District Legal Counsel
ITEM REVIEW TRACKING
Aaron Snover, Board of Commissioners Created/Initiated - 12/11/2023
David Woodward, Board of Commissioners Approved - 12/12/2023
David Coulter, Executive's Office Approved - 12/12/2023
Lisa Brown, Clerk/Register of Deeds Final Approval - 12/13/2023
AGENDA DEADLINE: 12/07/2023 6:00 PM
ATTACHMENTS
1. Schedule A - Budget Amendment
2. 2023-11-29 FINAL Memo to Finance Committee ARPA Funds for Hardship Assistance
Program
COMMITTEE TRACKING
2023-11-29 Finance - Recommend to Board
2023-12-07 Full Board - Adopt
Motioned by: Commissioner Gwen Markham
Seconded by: Commissioner Charles Cavell
Yes: David Woodward, Michael Spisz, Michael Gingell, Penny Luebs, Karen Joliat, Kristen
Nelson, Christine Long, Robert Hoffman, Philip Weipert, Gwen Markham, Angela Powell, Marcia
Gershenson, William Miller III, Yolanda Smith Charles, Charles Cavell, Brendan Johnson, Ajay
Raman, Ann Erickson Gault (18)
No: None (0)
Abstain: None (0)
Absent: (0)
Passed
December 7, 2023
RESOLUTION #2023-3582 _ 23-170
Sponsored By: Gwen Markham
Water Resources Commissioner - Appropriating American Rescue Plan Act – Local Fiscal
Recovery Funds for WRC Hardship Assistance Program
Chair and Members of the Board:
WHEREAS the Oakland County Board of Commissioners adopted Miscellaneous Resolution 22-212
recognizing that the United States Treasury allocated Oakland County approximately $244 million of
State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds established under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of
2021; and
WHEREAS that Miscellaneous Resolution also explained that under the guidance of the Final Rule,
Oakland County may use these funds at its discretion to support eligible investments in public health
expenditures, address negative economic impacts caused by the public health emergency; replace
lost public sector revenue; provide premium pay for essential workers; and invest in water, sewer,
and broadband infrastructure; and
WHEREAS lack of affordable water is a chronic condition and disparate public health concern that
was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic; and
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners hereby
appropriates $200,000 in ARPA funds to the United Way for Southeastern Michigan, as program
administrator of the WRC Hardship Assistance Program, for direct utility assistance.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners appropriates
$100,000 to the WRC for marketing and outreach for utility assistance programs.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that approval of the appropriation of ARPA – Local Recovery Funds
shall not obligate a commitment of Oakland County’s General Fund; the township shall meet all
federal, state, and local legal requirements, Oakland County policies and procedures, and
Department of Treasury guidelines for the eligible expenditure of ARPA – Local Recovery Funds.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the budget shall be amended as reflected in Schedule A - Budget
Amendment.
Chair, the following Commissioners are sponsoring the foregoing Resolution: Gwen Markham.
Date: December 12, 2023
David Woodward, Commissioner
Date: December 12, 2023
David Coulter, Oakland County Executive
Date: December 13, 2023
Lisa Brown, County Clerk / Register of Deeds
COMMITTEE TRACKING
2023-11-29 Finance - Recommend to Board
2023-12-07 Full Board - Adopt
Motioned by Commissioner Gwen Markham seconded by Commissioner Charles Cavell to adopt the
attached Budget Amendment: Appropriating American Rescue Plan Act – Local Fiscal Recovery
Funds for WRC Hardship Assistance Program.
Yes: David Woodward, Michael Spisz, Michael Gingell, Penny Luebs, Karen Joliat, Kristen Nelson,
Christine Long, Robert Hoffman, Philip Weipert, Gwen Markham, Angela Powell, Marcia
Gershenson, William Miller III, Yolanda Smith Charles, Charles Cavell, Brendan Johnson, Ajay
Raman, Ann Erickson Gault (18)
No: None (0)
Abstain: None (0)
Absent: (0)
Passed
ATTACHMENTS
1. Schedule A - Budget Amendment
2. 2023-11-29 FINAL Memo to Finance Committee ARPA Funds for Hardship Assistance Program
STATE OF MICHIGAN)
COUNTY OF OAKLAND)
I, Lisa Brown, Clerk of the County of Oakland, do hereby certify that the foregoing resolution is a true
and accurate copy of a resolution adopted by the Oakland County Board of Commissioners on
December 7, 2023, with the original record thereof now remaining in my office.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Circuit Court at
Pontiac, Michigan on Thursday, December 7, 2023.
Lisa Brown, Oakland County Clerk / Register of Deeds
Oakland County, Michigan
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS - ARPA FUNDS - TO THE UNITED WAY OF SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN ADMINISTRATOR $200,000 AND WRC HARDSHIP MARKETING OUTREACH PROGRAM $100,000
Schedule "A" DETAIL
R/E Fund Name Division Name Fund # (FND)Cost Center (CCN) #
Account #
(RC/SC)
Program #
(PRG)Grant ID (GRN) #Project ID (PROJ) #
Region
(REG)
Budget
Fund
Affiliate
(BFA)
Ledger Account
Summary Account Title
FY 2024
Amendment
FY 2025
Amendment
FY 2026
Amendment
R ARP Local Fiscal Recovery Fund Non-Departmental FND21285 CCN9010101 RC610313 PRG133095 GRN-1004364 PRJ-13423 610000 Federal Operating Grants $300,000 $-$-
Total Revenues $300,000 $-$-
E ARP Local Fiscal Recovery Fund Non-Departmental FND21285 CCN9010101 SC788001 PRG133095 GRN-1004364 PRJ-13423 BFA57010 788001 Transfer Out $300,000 $-$-
Total Expenditures $300,000 $-$-
R Water and Sewer General Admin Water Resources FND57010 CCN6010101 RC695500 PRG133095 GRN-1004364 PRJ-13423 BFA21285 695500 Transfers In $300,000 $-$-
Total Revenue $300,000 $-$-
E Water and Sewer General Admin Water Resources FND57010 CCN6010101 SC730373 PRG149999 GRN-1004364 PRJ-13423 730000 Contractual Services $300,000 $-$-
Total Expenditures $300,000 $-$-
Form DC–001
OAKLAND COUNTY WATER RESOURCES COMMISSIONER
Page 1 of 1 Rev.: 11/05/08
OAKLAND COUNTY
WATER RESOURCES COMMISSIONER
MEMORANDUM
TO: Commissioner Gwen Markham, Chairperson, Finance Committee
FROM: Jim Nash, Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner
SUBJECT: ARPA Funds for WRC Hardship Assistance Program
DATE: November 29, 2023
________________________________________________________________________________
Lack of affordable water is a chronic condition and disparate public health concern that was exacerbated by
the COVID-19 pandemic. This problem is more prominent in communities disproportionately impacted by the
pandemic, including the Cities of Pontiac, Hazel Park, Oak Park, and the Township of Royal Oak. Existing
water assistance programs have primarily focused on reducing water arrearages for households that are living
at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. These programs are designed to prevent water shutoffs and
tax certifications that can lead to foreclosure. Unfortunately, these programs serve far fewer households than
need assistance.
Under the leadership of Commissioner Jim Nash, a team of WRC staff, consultants, and stakeholders
conducted an extensive study on improving water affordability. The result of the study was a detailed report
entitled, Water Affordability Solutions: An Inside Look at a Water Utility’s Perspective. A key finding of the study
demonstrated the need for a water affordability solution that supports a population commonly known by the
acronym “ALICE” which stands for, Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. The ALICE population
generally have Median Annual Household Incomes ranging from 200% to 300% of Federal Poverty Levels. In
Oakland County, it’s estimated that 9% of households live in poverty but 22% are considered ALICE. Based on
the most recent ALICE report from the United Way for Southeastern Michigan, these levels are too low to pay
for basic costs of living in Oakland County, but too high to qualify for programs like the Water Residential
Assistance Program offered by the Great Lakes Water Authority.
In partnership with the United Way for Southeastern Michigan, the WRC designed a Hardship Assistance
Program to build resilience to increasing water costs. This program recognizes the continued economic
hardships for residents who do not qualify for other water assistance programs that protect them from loss of
water services and tax certification. The WRC is requesting $200,000 to fund this program and launch its
charitable giving campaign to sustain it, as well as an additional $100,000 for marketing and outreach for the
program. The United Way for Southeastern Michigan will administer the program that provides direct water
utility assistance including plumbing repairs, bill assistance, and water arrearages. The program is open to all
Oakland County communities connected to public water and sewer systems.
Requested Action: Authorize the release of $200,000 in ARPA Funds to the United Way for
Southeastern Michigan, as program administrator for the WRC Hardship Assistance Program, for
direct water utility assistance and appropriate $100,000 to the WRC for marketing and outreach.
Presenters: Kelsey Cooke, Manager and Sara Rubino, Government Policy
Chief Legal Officer Attorney
cookek@oakgov.com rubinos@oakgov.com
248-296-1406 248-410-9968