King County and local cities will better compete for federal economic stimulus grant funding under legislation adopted unanimously Monday by the Metropolitan King County Council.
“Federal stimulus funding is estimated to create or preserve some 75,000 Washington state jobs—by population, King County’s share would be about 23,000 jobs,” said Council Chair Dow Constantine, sponsor of the motion. “This legislation will aid King County and its cities in competing for much-needed federal stimulus grants.”
In mid-February, President Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) – the largest single infusion of stimulus funding ($575.3 billion) and tax cuts ($211.9 billion) into the economy in American history.
“I drafted this legislation because the size and scope of the federal funding made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act constitutes a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for local jurisdictions,” Constantine said.
The legislation calls for the immediate designation of a Recovery Act Coordinator in the King County Executive’s office, to serve as a liaison between county departments and the county’s federal government consultant. This coordinator will identify appropriate grant opportunities and communicate timelines and rules to departments and separately elected officials to ensure timely submission of applications.
The ordinance also establishes a team of county and city government representatives led by the Deputy County Executive to help obtain permits for qualifying projects and to inform project proponents about the application process.
Priority will be given to stimulus funding applications that:
• Create or preserve jobs in King County
• Address funding shortfalls for “lifeboat” programs that received only partial funding in the 2009 King County budget
• Benefit the county’s state-mandated public safety and public health functions
• Support essential human services, emergency management programs, and public transit
The ordinance calls for the Executive to report back to the Council in 20 days on his progress in setting up this program. It also requires monthly reports from the Executive to the Council on pending and awarded grants, including full program descriptions and cost information. The Executive must also establish an online Web site to keep the public apprised of King County’s progress in applying for and accepting stimulus fund grants.
Read more about this legislation on the King County Council’s LEGISEARCH system at http://mkcclegisearch.metrokc.gov/legistarweb and type in 2009-0290.
