The City of Council Bluffs is receiving approximately $24.8 million in federal Fiscal Recovery Funds appropriated through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) passed by Congress in March of 2021. 

ARPA provides a wide variety of resources for our nation as a response to the COVID-19 public health or economic crisis. Additional information can be found at whitehouse.gov/american-rescue-plan and treasury.gov. The plan specifically provides state and local fiscal recovery funds for use at the local level. 

ARPA’s Fiscal Recovery Fund is a one-time allocation that will be used to improve the quality of life for Council Bluffs residents, to provide for immediate recovery needs, and to create a long-term investment for Council Bluffs’ future. Each expenditure must meet federal guidelines.

As defined in Treasury’s Final Rule, funds may be used: 

1. To respond to the public health emergency or its negative economic impacts, including assistance to households, small businesses, and nonprofits, or aid to impacted industries such as tourism, travel, and hospitality;
2. To respond to workers performing essential work during the COVID–19 public health emergency by providing premium pay to eligible workers;
3. For the provision of government services to the extent of the reduction in revenue due to the COVID–19 public health emergency relative to revenues collected in the most recent full fiscal year prior to the emergency; and
4. To make necessary investments in water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure

Rainy day funds, financial reserves or fees, or issues of new debt or pensions are not allowable uses of the funds. There are limits on capital construction unless related to the pandemic health or economic recovery response directly. Recipient governments are prohibited from directly or indirectly offsetting a reduction in net tax revenue resulting from a change in law, regulation, or administrative interpretation during the covered period.

The following criteria are being used to determine priorities for the City of Council Bluffs: 

1. Review of ARPA allowable uses
2. Review of ARPA funds being directly allocated to other purposes, like housing and education
3. Review of existing plans, surveys, and recommendations
4. Consultation of boards, commissions, and the City Council
5. Community outreach to establish citizen priorities 

Overview of the Final Rule
Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Frequently Asked Questions
Treasury’s Interim Final Rule

All funds must be obligated by December 31, 2024, and spent by December 31, 2026.