25-948 : Halton-Pope - Letter Regarding SLFRF Compliance Oversight
Summary
This agenda item, 25-948, concerns oversight of the City of Buffalo's use of State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF), a component of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Majority Leader Leah Halton-Pope has submitted a letter to Commissioner Raymour Nosworthy requesting detailed responses by May 27, 2025, regarding the status of these funds as of Q1 2025.
The city reports over $167 million allocated, primarily for revenue replacement, with more than 40 active or pending projects. The letter raises concerns and asks specific questions across several categories:
- Strategic Use and Oversight: Status of fund drawdowns, strategies to accelerate underperforming projects, and evaluation methods (KPIs).
- Revenue Replacement Accountability: Breakdown of the $167 million distribution and safeguards for post-funding sustainability.
- Community Equity and Program Reach: Disbursement status of key programs like the Affordable Housing Fund and Water/Sewer Forgiveness, prioritization for low-income and BIPOC residents, and geographic equity in capital projects.
- Administrative and Technical Spending: Deliverables for over $700,000 in administrative/technical contracts and plans for in-house capacity.
- Local Workforce and Economic Impact: Launch timelines for workforce initiatives and tracking of local hiring and MWBE participation.
- Evaluation and Long-Term Impact: Steps for data-driven impact analysis and public reporting on outcomes.
The item has been repeatedly tabled by the Finance Committee since its referral on May 27, 2025, with the latest tabling on December 16, 2025, setting the next discussion for January 13, 2026.