Public Hearing: YES ☐ NO ☒ Department: Board of Commissioners - District 6
SUBJECT:
Title
Commission District(s): All Districts
To Approve and Adopt a Resolution to Establish the DeKalb Green New Deal Community Investment Fund Using $100,000.00 of the District 6 American Rescue Plan Funding, to Support Neighborhood and Micro-Environmental Projects.
Body
Information Contact: Commissioner Edward C. “Ted” Terry
Phone Number: 404-371-4909
PURPOSE:
To adopt a resolution that appropriates District 6 ARP funding to establish the DeKalb Green New Deal Community Investment Fund. This fund will support neighborhood and micro environmental projects, with at least 40% of the funds targeting the "Justice 40" initiative outlined in the Biden Administration Inflation Reduction Act focusing on environmental pollution and climate change.
NEED/IMPACT:
Climate change poses a significant threat to DeKalb County, Georgia, and the world at large, with impacts such as extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and resource depletion. The DeKalb County community recognizes the urgency of taking action and is committed to promoting environmental sustainability, economic resilience, and social justice. The time is now as data confirms that climate change disproportionately affects those who suffer from socioeconomic inequalities, including many people of color.
The American Rescue Plan Act approved funding to local communities to address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and invest in recovery and revitalization efforts. Qualified investments include projects that are required to maintain a level of service that, at least, meets applicable health-based standards, considering resilience to climate change. Eligible projects include to control non-point sources of pollution; improve resilience of infrastructure to severe weather events; create green infrastructure; and protect waterbodies from pollution.
Establishing A DeKalb Green New Deal Community Investment Fund, using $100,000 of the District 6 ARP funding not only focuses on the "Justice 40" initiative outlined in the Biden Administration Inflation Reduction Act and the overall objective to address the dual crises of climate change and economic inequality, but it also significantly supports goals to transition to a 100% clean energy economy, creating new jobs, and ensuring equitable access to clean air, clean water, and healthy food?
FISCAL IMPACT:
$100K from the 2023 District 6 ARP Appropriation account 106388.63230.521209.10.06.602778 to establish the DeKalb Green New Deal Fund.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommended Action
To adopt the resolution, approve the D6 ARP funding request, and authorize the chief executive officer to execute all necessary documents.