Federal stimulus for towns

It’s not quite the same as direct deposits of stimulus funds to individuals or as simple as  “the check’s in the mail.”

But the American Rescue Plan does take steps to aid municipalities. Sixty-five billion steps to be precise.

Purcell City Manager Dale Bunn said Tuesday the city’s allocation is $1.03 million.

Half of that should be forthcoming from the state sometime in the next 60 to 90 days.

The city will receive the remaining half one year later.

The determining factor in setting those allocations is a 75 percent cap of the municipality’s most recent budget as of Jan. 27, 2020.

“The city council will decide how those funds will be used,” Bunn said. “Water and sewer improvements are needed and can easily account for the funds.” 

Among approved uses for the funds are:

• Revenue loss, including premium pay  for eligible workers performing essential work during the pandemic, providing up to $13 per hour above regular wages;
• Water, sewer and broadband infrastructure.

Funds can be recouped by the Treasury Department if the municipality does not comply with the eligible uses.

Municipalities may not use the funds directly or indirectly to offset a tax cut or shore up pension funds, and the funds must be spent by Dec. 31, 2024.

Municipalities must provide periodic reports to the Treasury Department with a detailed accounting of the use of funds. 

Other municipal allocations across the area include Blanchard, $1.43 million; Byars, $40,000; Cole, $100,000; Dibble, $140,000; Goldsby, $390,000; Lexington, $350,000; Lindsay, $450,000; Maysville, $190,000; Newcastle, $1.71 million; Noble, $1.13 million; Norman, $22.7 million; Paoli, $100,000; Pauls Valley, $980,000; Slaughterville, $690,000; Wanette, $60,000; Washington, $100,000; and Wayne, $120,000.