Rule 15-3-5-1.1.4 - Required Application and Eligibility Documentation1. The initial Program application window will open on June 1, 2023, and close at 11:59 pm CST on June 30, 2023.2. As per the ARPA Final Rule, the use of ARPA funds must be reasonably proportional to the harm experienced. As such, applicants must submit revenue and operating expense data from the fiscal years 2017, 2018, and 2019 as compared to revenue and operating expenses for fiscal year 2022. Using the data from FYs 2017-2019, a pre-pandemic baseline will be determined. This will be compared to FY 2022 data to calculate the negative impact resulting from or exacerbated by the pandemic. FY 2021 data can be considered but only for periods beyond March 3, 2021, as required by ARPA guidelines. Data considered for FY 2021 must be compared to the same time period from the pre-pandemic fiscal years (e.g., if the non-Federal entity operates on a calendar year basis, they may provide documentation showing data from April thru December 2021, but must show data for April thru December for FYs 2017-2019 in order to perform an accurate comparison). This data must demonstrate a clear negative impact resulting from or exacerbated by the pandemic.3. Applicants must submit audited financial statements for FYs 2017-2019, 2021 (if applicable), and 2022 to support the revenue and operating expenses used in calculating the award. If audited or reviewed financial statements are not available, internally prepared financials may be provided but there may be additional procedures to be performed to ensure the validity of the data. This will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.4. Applicants will not be reimbursed for increased operating expenses that occurred before March 3, 2021.5. Applicants will not be reimbursed for increased operating expenses previously reimbursed by any other State or Federal funding and will be required to certify that no other funding has been received in relation to the costs covered under this program. If additional funding has been received, it will be factored into the award calculation, as appropriate.6. None of the funds issued under this program shall be used to pay employee premium payments.15 Miss. Code. R. 3-5-1.1.4
House Bill 271, 2023 Regular Legislative Session