1373 Shared Municipal Services Program

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Shared Municipal Services Program

[26 Pa.B. 4099]

Application Notice

   By this notice, the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) announces the opening of the application period for funding for the Shared Municipal Services program for State Fiscal Year 1996/97. Grant applications will be accepted at the DCED regional offices (addresses appear at the end of the notice). Applications must be received on or before 5 p.m., November 1, 1996. No applications will be accepted after that time. Applications will not be accepted through the use of a facsimile machine. Disbursement of grant monies by the Department for this program is contingent upon the availability and release of funds.

   The Shared Municipal Services program was created by the passage of Act 78 of 1970, amending section 201-C of The Administrative Code of 1929.

   The purpose of the program is to promote cooperation between municipalities so as to foster increased efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of municipal services at the local level.

Eligible Applicants

   Any group of two or more municipalities, or a body authorized to act on behalf of two or more municipalities is eligible to apply for funds.

General Project Categories

   1.  Intermunicipal Organization Start-up

   Grants may be awarded to newly formed Councils of Governments or similar organizations formed for the purpose of undertaking programs of intermunicipal cooperation, in order to defray the cost of initial administrative expenses.

   2.  Shared Services

   Grants may be awarded to groups of two or more municipalities acting in concert to defray the cost of performance of any local government function.

Project Examples

   Typical projects for which funds may be awarded include:

   --Combined police records administration

   --Shared data processing operations

   --Municipal insurance pooling

   --Shared public works operations

   --Regional recreation activities

   --Shared code enforcement operations

   Any authorized municipal function accomplished jointly is an eligible activity and may be included in a grant application. The purchase of vehicles and purchase or construction of buildings will not be considered as an eligible activity.

Grant Allocation and Limitation

   Grant funds are usually used to finance up to 50% of total project cost. Local share is often provided by municipal labor or other in-kind services, however, the matching share for shared personnel projects must be in cash.

   Upon approval of an application, a grant contract shall be executed between the Department and the applicant for the amount of the grant.

Provisions Concerning the Americans with Disabilities Act

   1.  During the term of this contract, the Contractor agrees to comply with the provisions of the Americans With Disabilities Act, 28 CFR 35.101 et seq. The Contractor further agrees to comply with the ''General Prohibitions Against Discrimination,'' 28 CFR 35.130, and all other regulations promulgated under Title II of The Americans With Disabilities Act.

   2.  The Contractor shall be responsible for and agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania from all losses, damages, expenses, claims, demands, suits and actions brought by any party against the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a result of the Contractor's failure to comply with the provisions of paragraph 1. above.

Evaluation Criteria

   All applications will be evaluated on the weighted criteria indicated below. Funding decisions will be based on resultant scores.

   The following six criteria will be used in the evaluation process:

   A.  Quality/Intermunicipal Aspects. Does the project appear to be well planned and ready for implementation? Does it address a real need of the region? Will municipalities actually be working together, or merely performing independent tasks, concurrently? Will the project explore a new area of intergovernmental cooperation? Can what is learned be applied in other places, by other municipalities?

   B.  Cost Savings Potential. Can participating municipalities expect to reduce expenditures and/or increase revenues as a result of the project? Will it contribute to the financial efficiency of local government?

   C.  Local Commitment. Will applicant municipalities be participating both financially and otherwise in the project? To what extent?

   D.  Funding Adequacy and Source. Is the amount of money applied for and the grantee contribution a reasonable amount to complete the project? Are there alternative means or sources of funding available?

   E.  Past Performance. If applicant has received previous intergovernmental program funding, how has it benefited local municipalities? Have grant funds been spent properly? Have projects been implemented and completed in a timely manner?

   F.  Financial Disadvantage. Will the project be of benefit to municipalities identified by the Department of Community and Economic Development as disadvantaged under the Department's Early Warning System?

Proposal Requirements

   Applicants shall submit the following application items:

   1.  An original and 1 copy of a completed and executed application form sent to the Center for Local Government Services, Room 325 Forum Building, Harrisburg, PA 17120.

   2.  One copy to the Local Government Policy Specialist at the appropriate regional office as listed on page 4 of these guidelines.

   3.  A project budget.

   4.  A descriptive narrative.

Contract Execution

   Projects selected for funding will be announced by letter from the Secretary to the contact person specified in the application. Specific actions to be taken upon receipt of this letter are provided at Appendix B.

Application Information

   Copies of the application forms, application instructions and other information are available upon request to any DCED regional office or the Center for Local Government Services, Room 325 Forum Building, Harrisburg, PA 17120, [phone] or [phone].

   Persons with a disability who wish to submit an application in accordance with the provisions stated herein and who require assistance with that application and persons who require copies of this notice in an alternate format (large type, braille, and the like) should contact Fred A. Reddig, Center for Local Government Services, Room 325 Forum Building, Harrisburg, Pennsyl-vania 17120, [phone] to discuss how the Department may best accommodate their needs.

   All applications should be addressed to the Local Government Policy Specialist at the addresses listed.

Regional Offices

Region I--
Governor's Southeast Regional Office
Belvue Stratford
200 South Broad Street--12th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19130
[phone]

Region II--
PA Department of Community
   and Economic Development
Northeast Regional Office
Room 201, Samters Building
101 Penn Avenue
Scranton, PA 18503-4571
[phone]

Region III/IV
PA Department of Community
   and Economic Development
Northcentral and Southcentral
   Regional Office
578 Forum Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120
[phone]

Region V--
Governor's Southwest Regional Office
1403A State Office Building
300 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
[phone]

Region VI--
Governor's Northwest Regional Office
100 State Street
Suite 202
Erie, PA 16507
[phone]

THOMAS B. HAGEN,   
Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 96-1373. Filed for public inspection August 23, 1996, 9:00 a.m.]