American Rescue Plan sending $150 million to EGUSD, $23 million to Elk Grove says Rep. Bera

As part of the massive American Rescue Plan signed into law by President Joe Biden, the Elk Grove Unified School District and the City of Elk Grove will receive millions of dollars to offset the costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a video appearance from Washington DC during last night's Elk Grove City meeting, Rep. Ami Bera announced the Elk Grove Unified School District would be receiving $150 million and the City of Elk Grove $23.8 million. The allocations are part of the $1.9 trillion legislation designed to help state and local governments and provide infrastructure funding for a wide variety of projects.

In his presentation, Bera said the funds could be used for things like additional hazard pay for public safety employees, replace revenue lost from diminished tax revenues, a wide variety of infrastructure projects including water, sewer, or broadband expansion, and transfers of funds to non-governmental organizations that provide social services. 

Bera stressed the money cannot be used to backfill governmental pension obligations. The first distribution will be made within 60 days of March 11, and the balance no later than 12 months from the date of the first payment. 

"We tried designed this with enough flexibility, so the federal government wasn't dictating how we use resources," Bera said. "I think we understand that the local representatives, the local city councilmembers, the mayors, actually, you deal with it because you are in the supermarket."

According to Elk Grove city manager Jason Behrmann, the city has yet to receive exact guidelines from the U.S. Treasury Dept. but expects them to be available by early May. 

"We plan on presenting various funding options at a public meeting, likely towards the end of May. It may either be at a regularly scheduled City Council meeting or at a special Council workshop," Behrmann said. "Once we get the guidance, we’ll set the date. We are already working with various groups including the Mayor’s Economic Recovery Task Force and local non-profits, to understand their current needs and how these funds could be used to support them."  

The initial payment could be part of the fiscal year 2022 budget, which starts on July 1, or an adjustment to the 2021 budget.  

Below is a video of Bera's presentation. 

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