Revised ARPA Regulations: Good News for Communities

Last week’s publication by the US Treasury, “Final Rule for the State and Local Coronavirus Fiscal Recovery Fund,” brought welcome news to local government leaders in communities receiving less than $10 Million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds.

While volumes of information on ARPA have been published, much directly from the US Treasury, previous language and varied interpretations gave many community leaders anxiety about acceptable uses for the funding. Some municipal boards even considered rejecting the funds, speculating that federal reporting requirements might overwhelm their limited-capacity staff.

“For many, the potential for unintended non-compliance seemed great,” said Matt Horn, Head of MRB Group’s SmarterLocalGov team. He and his colleagues hosted several Roundtable Discussions on ARPA, to provide information and assure communities that they could “take a breath!”

“There was a language barrier, and a level of uncertainty,” Horn said, noting that legal contract terminology isn’t easily deciphered and can often sound punative. To add to the concern, reporting requirements were referenced in earlier documentation, but not well-defined.

“With this Final Rule, many of the restrictions that were confusing have been eliminated,” he continued. “And we’re expecting compliance reporting to be a lighter lift.”

In the latest information published by the US Treasury, acceptable project types have been significantly expanded. According to Horn, MRB Group recommends a strategic approach and planning for optimal use of ARPA/CFRF funds.

“We’d like to see communities utilize these resources to their maximum benefit,” he stated.

“Understanding the bigger picture might help communities stretch those benefits even further, with a focus on projects that aren’t typically supported by public funds,” he said. “Secondly, modernization projects, or those that lower operational costs, have the potential to increase positive financial impacts and make them recur, maximizing long-term savings.”

“Having come from a background in local government operations, our team members think differently,” Horn continued. “We help communities work towards sustainability, not just environmentally, but also operationally and financially.”

Horn explained that his team is helping community leaders consider options in utilizing ARPA/CFRF funding, including leveraging funding to stretch other forms of financial support further. He invites community leaders looking for ideas to reach out to his team, to participate in roundtable discussions, and to take advantage of the ideas of other community leaders whose research and model uses might inspire innovation.

“At MRB Group, our goal is to facilitate that same kind of knowledge-sharing, so that everyone benefits,” Horn said, noting that strengthening local governments is the mission of his SmarterlocalGov team.

For more information on ARPA funds or to access MRB Group’s local government resources, visit www.mrbgroup.com.

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JULIANNE OEHLBECK, Esq.

Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel

Julie is a business-minded and solutions focused Chief Legal Officer with extensive in-house experience. She is known for being a trusted and strategic advisor in fast-paced growth environments. Julie has a proven track record of building strong relationships and delivering creative and value-add solutions that grow the business, enhance company culture, minimize risk and build efficiencies. She has worked in a multitude of industries including food and beverage, consumer products, internet/e-commerce and telecommunications on domestic and international matters. She is also passionate about the Board service she offers to Chenango Memorial Hospital as executive on the Board, Treasurer and Chair of the Finance and Audit Committees.

Timothy Carpenter, P.E.

Syracuse Operations Manager (Management Team)

Tim Carpenter, P.E. delivers more than 35 years of experience as an engineer and project manager in a number of capacities across military, construction, facilities management, environmental, and manufacturing industries. Proven leader in the design, construction administration, and operations of water and wastewater treatment plants, anaerobic digestion facilities, design and permitting of chemical systems, petroleum system and stormwater management systems, preparation and ongoing management of air emissions permits.

DIANA M. SMITH

Business Development Director

As Former Mayor of the Village of Seneca Falls, and Past-President of New York Conference of Mayors (NYCOM), Diana Smith has years of direct experience in state and local government, municipal strategic planning, budgeting, service delivery, and operations. Her focus on municipal efficiency resulted in the creation of Strategic Municipal Initiatives, an award-winning project that led to the development of SmarterLocalGov, the Municipal Services Division of MRB Group.

THOMAS J. FROMBERGER, P.E.

Team Leader

Tom Fromberger is an experienced engineer and innovative design professional, recognized for successful, cost-effective solutions that resolve issues in challenging environments. He possesses a wealth of industrial, commercial, residential, municipal, and recreational design experience, with a unique ability to expedite regulatory permitting and approvals.

SCOTT BOVA, A.I.A., NCARB

Architecture Team Leader

Scott Bova is a creative, solution-oriented professional architect with hands-on project management experience. His team leadership involves coordinating the talent of several creative architects, who each compliment the team’s unique ability to transform abstract visions into a tangible, functional, aesthetically pleasing—and affordable—end product.

BILL DAVIS

Senior Project Manager/Team Leader (Ex Officio & Management Team)

With years of direct experience, Bill Davis is often sought out by peers as a leader in civil and environmental engineering. He is a leading wastewater expert. His focus includes evaluation of wastewater operations, system design, construction-phase services, and troubleshooting process challenges in water and wastewater treatment facilities and system components.

PATRICK A. NICOLETTA, P.E.

Senior Project Manager/Team Leader (BOD & Management Team)

Pat Nicoletta’s leadership involves hands-on engineering, field expertise, and operational experience. His diverse background in water and wastewater includes analysis, planning, funding, system design, and construction phase services. Pat’s strength is in finding innovative ways to solve utility issues in a manner that’s cost-effective and affordable for rural communities—and he is driven to far exceed client expectations.

JAMES J. OBERST, P.E.

Executive VP & COO

Jim Oberst’s leadership focuses on streamlined and efficient operations, for both MRB Group’s internal functions and external client support processes. His extensive expertise in engineering, project and team management, LEED/environmental principles, and strategic planning benefits communities and private sector clients who rely on his trusted counsel.

RYAN T. COLVIN, P.E.

President/CEO (BOD & Management Team)

Ryan Colvin is a dynamic and driven engineer and organizational leader, with a long history of serving as trusted advisor to municipal officials across the State of New York. His practical and realistic focus on helping local governments achieve long-term fiscal and environmental sustainability has earned MRB Group the reputation of serving as a partner to client communities. Many have worked with Ryan and MRB Group for decades.

DAVID M. DOYLE, P.E.

Vice President (BOD & Management Team)

Dave Doyle is a respected civil engineer, project team leader, and operations expert. His extensive involvement in the study, planning, and design of municipal infrastructure projects includes both water supply and sanitary sewer improvements. He has assisted many rural communities with developing, funding, and implementing critical projects which have resolved significant environmental challenges and infrastructure needs.