Municipal Resources

Find answers to your questions related to the suspension of the state of emergency on June 15th in VLCT’s new End of COVID-19 State of Emergency FAQs .

American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) Information from VLCT

VLCT has developed a resource page for the latest information on ARPA funding and related news, including resources and local allocation updates. See here: https://www.vlct.org/resources/american-rescue-plan-information

COVID Funding for Municipalities

Community Development Block Grant CARES Act funding through the Municipal Public Facility and Service Programis available for municipalities and non-profits that have unmet needs due to COVID-19. Funding will be awarded through a competitive application process. Grants available between $5,000 to $200,000. For more information contact Nathan Cleveland.

US Economic Development Administration Makes $1.5B Available to Communities

The US Economic Development Administration has made $1.5 billion from CARES Act funds available to communities for economic development assistance programs to help prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis.

Governor Signs Important Legislation

Governor Scott signed three bills into law: S.344 is an act relating to temporary municipal tax rate provisions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more.

 Local Emergency Management Plans (LEMPs) due May 1st

LEMPs should be adopted by Towns by May 1st annually in accordance with 20 V.S.A § 6 and the State Emergency Management Plan. This deadline has not been extended. A current LEMP is required for municipalities to receive federal preparedness funds and increased state reimbursement through the Emergency Relief and Assistance Fund (ERAF). The LEMP municipal adoption form and LEMP template can be found on Vermont Emergency Management’s website: https://vem.vermont.gov/plans/lemp.  CVRPC can assist municipalities to update their LEMPs. Contact us at cvrpc@cvregion.com

 Interactive Public Wi-Fi Hot Spot Map Now Available

The Vermont Department of Public Service has released an interactive Public Wi-Fi Hot Spot Map to help Vermonters connect to publicly available internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. The map includes the location of the Wi-Fi hot spots and pertinent information about how to access them, including places where users can access Wi-Fi from outside the building or in a parked vehicle to encourage social distancing. Vermonters are encouraged to send information about Wi-Fi hot spots to psd.telecom@vermont.gov and review additional connectivity resources from the Department of Public Service online.

Updated Resources from Vermont League of Cities & Towns

The links below provide some great guidance from VLCT:

 Municipal Borrowing

Municipalities that had to borrow in order to pay statewide education property tax on time as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic can apply to recoup interest incurred between 3/1 and 12/30 of 2020. More information here.

New COVID-19 FAQs for Municipal Operations

The Vermont League of Cities and Towns offers updated FAQs for municipalities on recent guidance and its legal and practical effects on general municipal operations, as well as information related to municipal services such as dog licensing, access to public records, town office closures and re-openings, and processing zoning applications.

CDBG-CV Public Facility and Public Service Program

The Vermont Community Development Program (VCDP) is continuing to accept applications seeking funding to address unmet needs due to the COVID-19 pandemic through the CDBG-CV Municipal Public Facility and Service Program (PF/PS).

  • This CDBG-CV (PF/PS) program will provide grants that range from $5,000 to $200,000.
  • Applications are accepted on a rolling basis to assist projects that prepare for, respond to and prevent the spread of COVID-19.
  • Funding is awarded through a competitive process and funds can be retained by the municipality or subgranted to non-profit organizations.
  • The program has nearly $1.8 million remaining to assist communities and non-profits with grants for public facility and service projects that have unmet needs due to COVID19.
  • Priority for funding is given to projects
    • where at least 70% of the direct beneficiaries are considered to be of Low or Moderate Income (LMI).
    • Where a public service is available to all people within and “area wide benefit” community where a Town’s population is at least 51% LMI
    • Where a public service is provided to a group of people defined by HUD as being a “limited clientele”
  • Projects seeking CDBG-CV funding need to be able to be completed by June 30, 2022.

CDBG CARES ACT FUNDING (CDBG-CV)

FAQ’s:  CDBG-CV Municipal Public Facility and Service Program

Municipality Status & Updates

CVRPC collects data from its municipalities regarding their current status (see municipal chart below).  Throughout the spring/summer we were providing regular updates to the towns with updated information and resources (link below).