DLS City & Town

Updated Information Regarding Coronavirus Relief Funds

Catharine M. Hornby - Undersecretary, Executive Office for Administration & Finance

With assistance from the Division of Local Services, the Executive Office for Administration and Finance is nearly finished distributing the first round of federal Coronavirus Relief Fund money to cities and towns. A&F is pleased to report that approximately $80 million has been distributed. Only a few applications remain under review. We appreciate the careful planning work of hundreds of local officials as they budget for unanticipated costs incurred in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. The second round of funding distribution will follow this fall.

In an update to A&F’s original approach, we are now making funds available for small capital projects. Initially, federal guidance that costs must be incurred directly in response to the COVID-19 outbreak made it hard to see why investments in long-term capital assets would be an allowable use. However, subsequent federal guidance has indicated that certain smaller capital projects, aside from their long-term value, can also be critical to meeting immediate needs. By contrast, in virtually all contexts, the purchase of ambulances and other vehicles are not permissible uses as they are not necessary expenditures in response to coronavirus. For more information on this and other frequently asked questions, see https://www.mass.gov/doc/cares-act-faq-for-municipal-officials/download.

DLS Online Resources Provide Helpful Informational Tutorials on the Roles of Local Officials

Frank Gervasio - Director of Special Initiatives

Are you curious about the roles that local elected, appointed and other municipal staff play in managing a community? Do you expect to have a vacancy in your community’s financial management team soon? If so, would you benefit from additional information that might assist your hiring process? Our Municipal Management video provides an overview of the various duties and responsibilities of city and town officials. In addition to this video, DLS has summarized the responsibilities of certain officials below:

• Accountant/Auditor

• Assessor

• Collector

• Treasurer

• Finance Director

You can also review our recommendation on steps local officials can take to enhance the coordination of financial activities in order to meet city or town-wide goals. In the coming weeks, DLS plans to publish additional video presentations regarding the individual responsibilities of the treasurer and assessor.

Be sure to bookmark the Municipal Finance Training and Resource Center page and subscribe to our YouTube channel to stay updated on new items added. Something you'd like to see us cover? We'd love to hear from you! Please email me at gervsaiof@dor.state.ma.us.