Title
Resolution authorizing an emergency appropriation of $2,000,000 of Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (CSLFRF) as part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) for equipment associated with a voting solution that supports vote by mail (EvoluJet Printer, ballot management software, ReliaVote Inserter and Vantage Sorter) and related infrastructure costs in Fund 746 ARPA Fund.
Staff Summary
* The ARPA was signed into law on March 11, 2021. On May 19, 2021 the County received $67,646,879, half of the amount the County will receive in total from the US Treasury.
* The funds can be used for needs associated with public health, to counteract negative economic impacts, provide services to disproportionately impacted communities, for infrastructure, to provide premium pay, to replace lost revenue, and for administrative purposes during a period from March 3, 2021 to December 31, 2024.
* The County Clerk is requesting ARPA Funding for a machine that will support efficient and economical elections by automating many of the functions related to the vote by mail process. Vote by mail requests have, and continue to increase due to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.
* Public Act 102-0015 requires each election authority to mail notice to all registered voters in the county before each general election. It is expected that this will result in additional vote by mail requests. Due to the complex logistics of mailing and processing vote by mail ballots, the machine will save significant processing time and manual labor.
* This initiative falls under a direct expenditure category within the ARPA compliance guidance and is anticipated to meet all the requirements for reporting and compliance.
* Authority to spend appropriated funds and execute any and all agreements with partners related to this allocation and distribution of Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds is delegated to the County Administrator or their designee(s).
Body
RESOLUTION
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