Recovery San Diego County

What is the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)?
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Barack Obama on February 17, 2009.  The $787-billion economic stimulus package provides: $355 billion for a variety of sectors, including health care, housing assistance, transportation, infrastructure, education, and energy-efficiency projects; $144 billion in state and local fiscal support; and $288 billion in personal and business tax credits. The Recovery Act provides unprecedented accountability and transparency provisions.

What is the County tracking on this site?
The site tracks awards granted, as well as those anticipated through formula funds and those the County of San Diego has requested.  Please be aware that the status of the awards can change daily, and we encourage you to check this site often for updates.

How does the County identify and pursue stimulus funds?
The County of San Diego is receiving and seeking Recovery Act funds for a variety of projects or programs that will help sustain or create jobs, stimulate economic growth, and improve the community in the following areas:

• Housing & Communities
• Health & Human Services
• Infrastructure & Technology
• Public Safety
• Energy & Environment
• Training

We have put together a team to manage the stimulus funding process through its entirety.  The team consists of County finance and departmental leaders who will identify funding opportunities, follow the appropriate process for requesting funds, monitor and update the status of requests and awards, and ensure accountability and transparency.

How much ARRA money does the County expect to receive?
The County of San Diego has already been granted almost $70 million in ARRA-related funds which will not only help sustain or create jobs but will also assist us in areas such as public works, health and human services, public safety, homeless prevention, energy conservation, and assistance to homebuyers.  The County is continuing its efforts by applying for additional economic stimulus grant opportunities and is seeking over $100 million in competitive grants.

When will the County receive the funds?
The intent of the Act is to distribute funds quickly in the areas where they will be the most effective in order to stimulate the economy, maintain or create jobs, and provide assistance to those in need in our community. The County of San Diego has already received confirmation on some awards, and we expect more awards to be confirmed over the months ahead.

What is the process for requesting stimulus funds?
The process differs depending on the types of funds that are being requested.  See the questions below regarding the specific types of funds.  The County is committed to working with other local, state and federal agencies to ensure the appropriate steps for each request are followed in order to maximize the award dollars the County receives.

How are stimulus funds categorized?
Funds are listed in two categories on this site: funds granted and funds sought.

• Funds granted are either those the County has already received or those the federal and/or state government has notified the County it will be receiving.  These include formula funds.  These types of funds are formula-based.  They follow set program criteria and do not require recipients to apply for the funds, although recipients must still follow appropriate procedures and meet the outlined requirements in order to receive funds. 
• Funds sought are those the County has requested and has not yet received notification as to whether the funds have been granted.  These funds are competitive, meaning other governments, agencies or stakeholders may be applying for the same funds, and the federal government will decide which organization receives the funds.

What is the difference between projects and programs?
Programs are defined as overall funding for a particular type of work.  For example, an award could be designated for transportation, which would be defined as the program, and the County will then decide the specific projects the funds would go toward, such as rebuilding taxiways at a local airport. 

A program would also encompass a service provided to the public that does not include a specific project.  For example, funds could be designated to a current County-run program such as foster care.

Why do some projects require certification?
Under Section 1511 of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act regarding federal stimulus funds made available to state or local governments for infrastructure investments, the governor, mayor or other chief executive as appropriate must certify that the infrastructure investment has received the full review and vetting required by law and that the chief executive takes responsibility that the infrastructure investment is an appropriate use of taxpayer dollars.  Additionally, the certification needs to provide a description of the project, estimated total cost, and amount of covered funds to be used.

How will the County work with local entities to secure funds?
The County of San Diego will work with local partners such as SANDAG to pursue transportation and other funds that benefit the entire region.  Additionally, the County has been working with the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation and the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce in their efforts to bring stakeholders together.

What accountability and transparency steps are required?
The County of San Diego is committed to following all guidelines and provisions required by the Act to ensure the utmost accountability and transparency.  We want you to know how we are spending your valuable tax dollars. Requirements of the Act include:

• Certifications by governors or local officials that infrastructure expenditures have been fully reviewed and are an appropriate use of tax dollars
• Public access to contract and grant information, including requests for proposals for competitive grant programs
• Provisions for federal oversight, reviews and audits, coordinated by a Recovery Act Accountability and Transparency Board
• Access by federal inspectors and the Recovery Act Accountability and Transparency Board to information needed to ensure accountability at the national level