Consistent
with U.S. Treasury CARES Act guidance, the Governor is taking a proposal to the
Emergency Commission this coming Monday to reimburse counties and cities for
“law enforcement first responder payroll costs” for the first 7 months of the
pandemic (March - Sept.). If approved by
the EC and the Budget Section, counties will simply submit their total payroll
costs for sworn officers for March through July – for immediate
reimbursement. August and September
payroll amounts will be submitted and reimbursed later, once they are incurred.
This
concept will get much needed revenue (~$59 million) to counties and cities
quickly and efficiently.
This will
constitute the jurisdiction’s entire allocation, and any previously reimbursed
amounts will be deducted from the total payroll costs.
County estimates based on averages are
included in the attached presentation, however reimbursements will be based on actual
payroll costs (salary and benefits) paid.
The proposal was announced today at the Auditor’s Conference. Your county auditor will be bringing more specific information back from that
presentation. We will also follow up
with OMB instructions once formal approval is achieved. You can view the presentation with the proposal here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AdwaiyjeaQ5azJsI2ONgNVQlf7Z4-nw9/view?usp=sharing
"This
is the result of a concerted effort by NDACo and the ND League of Cities, and
tremendous support from OMB, the Governor’s Office and Legislative Leadership. We are extremely grateful to them for their understanding and dedicated effort
on behalf of local government," said NDACo Executive Director Terry Traynor. "I personally would also like to thank all
of our county auditors, their payroll and HR staff, and those law enforcement
leaders that have helped provide the data necessary to make this case."
