TO: Mayor and Members of City Council
THRU: Douglas J. Hewett, City Manager
FROM: Brook M. Redding, Special Projects Manager, MPA, PMP
DATE: November 4, 2024
RE:
Title
ARPA Portfolio Update and Obligation Strategy for FY24: Progress, Planning, and Next Steps
end
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S):
Council District(s)
ALL
b
Relationship To Strategic Plan:
This item supports the City’s mission to promote sustainable growth, improve community well-being, and enhance public safety, in alignment with Council’s adopted strategic goals. The ARPA portfolio projects contribute to economic resilience, affordable housing expansion, infrastructure improvements, and public health, which are foundational elements of the City’s strategic plan.
Executive Summary:
This memorandum provides an update on the ARPA portfolio and presents the FY25 obligation strategy for the Council’s review. Since the initiation of the ARPA funding, the City has allocated significant resources to projects aligned with the Council’s strategic priorities, focusing on economic development, housing and community livability, infrastructure, and public safety. The City is on track to meet the December 31, 2024, federal obligation deadline and has implemented a comprehensive obligation strategy to ensure compliance with ARPA guidelines while maximizing the impact of funds for the Fayetteville community. This update highlights portfolio progress, key milestones, and the strategic steps being undertaken to complete the portfolio’s obligations
Background:
The City of Fayetteville was allocated $40,400,000 of ARPA funding to aid recovery efforts and support transformative projects following the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. These funds have been allocated across various projects within the City’s ARPA portfolio. Since the Council’s strategic allocation of ARPA funds in FY22, the City has actively pursued projects that align with these priorities, providing funding to departments across the city to support meaningful community impact. To comply with federal requirements, all funds must be obligated by December 31, 2024. City staff have adopted an obligation strategy to ensure the efficient and compliant use of remaining funds, preparing projects for full obligation and effective implementation within the required timeline.
Issues/Analysis:
As the December 31, 2024, federal obligation deadline approaches, the City faces critical tasks to ensure compliance with funding regulations. The FY24 obligation strategy addresses these needs through clear timelines and mechanisms for adjusting project budgets and schedules to fully obligate remaining funds. Key actions include detailed project reviews, budget adjustments, and reallocations where necessary. Integrating select projects into the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) allows the City to extend timelines for complex initiatives without compromising compliance, giving us flexibility beyond initial deadlines.
Challenges involve tracking project timelines, managing subrecipient requirements, and ensuring accurate reporting to federal authorities, necessitating close coordination with city departments and consultants. Through these actions, we are positioned to meet federal requirements effectively, while prioritizing impactful projects aligned with Council’s strategic goals.
Budget Impact:
The ARPA portfolio has allocated $40,400,000 in federal funds across several council strategies, targeting a variety of city priorities. Of this, $25,214,453 has been expended, with $8,799,210 encumbered and $6,386,337 remaining unencumbered. This funding has supported projects in business development, workforce investment, housing, public health, and public safety, among others. For instance, the following has been allocated by council strategy:
• Business & Economic Vitality: $13,602,140, funding projects like the Commercial Corridor Improvement Grant Program, Small Business Grants, and Workforce Development.
• Housing and Community Livability: $13,376,797, including allocations to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and the Day Resource Center.
• Infrastructure & Community Investment: $10,978,563, supporting public safety initiatives, ADA compliance, and multimodal infrastructure projects.
• City Administrative: $2,442,500, primarily for ARPA administrative costs and project contingency.
Through the strategic obligation of these funds, the City has been able to advance key projects, reducing reliance on local resources and creating more flexibility in future budget planning. Additionally, transitioning some ARPA-funded projects into the CIP framework will allow for extended timelines and completion without the pressure of immediate federal deadlines. By aligning the portfolio with strategic priorities, the City anticipates significant financial relief across infrastructure, housing, and public safety sectors
Options:
1. The council provides consensus to approve the ARPA obligation strategy and portfolio update as presented, authorizing the team to proceed with recommended project adjustments and obligations.
2. Request modifications to the obligation strategy or additional information before approval.
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends that City Council provide consensus approval of the ARPA obligation strategy and portfolio update as presented, allowing staff to proceed with necessary project adjustments to ensure full compliance with ARPA requirements by the December 31, 2024, obligation deadline
Attachments:
1. ARPA Council Strategy and Projects.pdf
2. ARPA Portfolio and Obligation Plan Update Presentation.ppt