City of Hillsboro



On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), more commonly referred to as the federal stimulus bill. Oregon will be receiving approximately $2.4 billion of ARRA funds over the next three years. ARRA is intended to provide funding for projects that will boost our economy and create jobs. The City of Hillsboro is actively tracking funding opportunities available through ARRA. In some cases, we receive funds through a non-competitive formula allocation, other times we apply individually for competitive grants and sometimes we partner with the state when applying for grant funds. Following are the projects for which Hillsboro has already received funds or for which Hillsboro has applied for funding.

City of Hillsboro Recovery Act Applications and Awards

Source

Amount Requested

Purpose

Status

PUBLIC SAFETY

US Department of Justice, Justice Assistance Grant

$156,000

Intelligence analyst position/Police

Funds awarded

US Department of Homeland Security, Fire Fighters Assistance Grant

$3,000,000

Help build new 25^th Ave fire station

Application submitted

INFRASTRUCTURE

US Environmental Protection Agency, State Clean Water and Drinking Water Revolving Fund

$3,000,000

Backup power generation for Joint Water Commission Water Treatment Plant

Application unsuccessful

US Department of Housing and Urban Development, Community Development Block Grants

$132,000

Sidewalk construction project will commence spring 2010

Funds awarded

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

US Department of Energy, Alternative Fuel Vehicles Grant

Part of multi-jurisdictional application of $13.6M

City of Hillsboro portion is for up to 47 electric vehicle charging stations and several all-electric fleet vehicles

Application unsuccessful

US Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants

$924,700 formula allocation

Reduce energy use, greenhouse gas emissions from City operations and within community.

Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy and GHG inventory ($97,864)
Traffic signal timing optimization ($415,800)
Solar energy arrays on City buildings & solar crossing beacons ($255,790)
Energy efficiency revolving fund ($105,637)
Bike Central facility at ITF building [partial funding] ($49,609)

Funds awarded

US Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant

Part of multi-jurisdictional application of $75,000,000

Create a residential energy efficiency incentive program

Funds awarded
($20,000,000)

Program under development

TRANSPORTATION

US Department of Transportation

$2,300,000

Intermodal Transit Facility (parking, bicycle station, and renewable energy systems) at Tuality/Pacific University campus)

Funds awarded

US Department of Transportation, via Oregon Department of Transportation

$90,000

Electric vehicle charging stations

Application unsuccessful

US Department of Transportation, via Oregon Department of Transportation

$2,400,000

Overlay (paving) maintenance of City streets

Application unsuccessful

US Department of Transportation, via Oregon Department of Transportation

$25,000,000

Fund interchange capacity improvements at US Highway 26 – Helvetia/Brookwood Parkway Interchange

Application unsuccessful

In addition to the funding opportunities open to government, ARRA has some tax provisions for individuals and small businesses. Here are some links you might find useful.

Information for Individuals

First-Time Homebuyer Credit Expands. Homebuyers who purchase in 2009 can get a credit of up to $8,000 with no payback requirement.
Money Back for New Vehicle Purchases. Taxpayers who buy certain new vehicles in 2009 can deduct the state and local sales taxes they paid or other taxes and fees they paid in states with no sales tax.
Enhanced Credits for Tax Years 2009, 2010. Find details on the earned income tax credit, additional child tax credit and the American Opportunity Credit, a new higher education benefit.
Increased Transportation Subsidy. Employer-provided benefits for transit and parking are up in 2009.
Up to $2,400 in Unemployment Benefits Tax Free in 2009. Individuals should check their tax withholding.
$250 for Social Security Recipients, Veterans and Railroad Retirees. The Economic Recovery Payment will be paid by the Social Security Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs and the Railroad Retirement Board.
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Incentives. See what individuals can do to reap tax rewards.
Health Coverage Tax Credit. The credit increases from 65 percent to 80 percent of qualified health insurance premiums, and more people are eligible.

Information for Businesses

Making Work Pay Tax Credit. Businesses should use the new withholding rates for their employees. For pension plan administrators, new optional withholding procedures are available to supplement the February withholding tables.
Work Opportunity tax credit. This newly-expanded credit adds returning veterans and "disconnected youth" to the list of new hires covered by the credit that businesses may claim. Certification by the state work force agency is required.
COBRA: Health Insurance Continuation Subsidy. The IRS has extensive guidance for employers, including an updated Form 941, as well as information for qualifying individuals.
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Incentives. See what businesses can do to reap tax rewards.
Net Operating Loss Carryback. Small businesses can offset losses by getting refunds on taxes paid up to five years ago. Information on the carryback, an expanded section 179 deduction and other business-related provisions, is now available.

For more information about ARRA go to http://www.recovery.gov/ or http://www.oregon.gov/recovery/

For questions related to the City ARRA response, please contact Peter Brandom at 503-681-6191