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A resolution appropriating $1,630,679.00 in American Rescue Plan Act funds from Fund #30216 to extend the provision of critical immigrant legal services in Davidson County.
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WHEREAS, on June 15, 2021, the Metropolitan Council passed Resolution RS2021-966, a resolution which accepted grant funds for local government support from the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds established by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“ARP Funds”) from the U.S. Department of the Treasury to The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson Count, which was subsequently signed into law by Mayor John Cooper on June 16, 2021; and,
WHEREAS, Resolution RS2021-966 established a COVID-19 Financial Oversight Committee ("the Committee") whose role is to collect, consider, and recommend appropriate uses of the ARP Funds as designated by the Metropolitan Council disbursement plan. The Committee will submit its reports and recommendations to the Mayor, the Director of Finance, and the Metropolitan Council not later than June 30, 2025; and,
WHEREAS, on June 7, 2022, Metro Council passed RS2022-1560, which appropriated $1,820,585.00 in ARP Funds to Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition (“TIRRC”), working in connection with Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors (“TNJFON”), for a two-year pilot program for immigration legal services; and,
WHEREAS, RS2022-1831 appropriated an additional $272,042.00 in ARP Funds to completely fund the pilot program; and,
WHEREAS, due to the success of the program and the continued need for such services in our community, the Committee now seeks to extend the program through June 2026 and appropriate an additional $797,484.00 in ARP Funds to TIRRC and an additional $833,195.00 in ARP Funds to TNJFON; and,
WHEREAS, it is to the benefit of the citizens of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County that this resolution be approved.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. The Metropolitan Council accepts this resolution as a recommendation of the COVID-19 Financial Oversight Committee.
Section 2. That $797,484.00 from the Covid-19 American Rescue Plan Fund #30216 is hereby appropriated to Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition to be used to administer the program described in Exhibit A.
Section 3. That $833,195.00 from the Covid-19 American Rescue Plan Fund #30216 is hereby appropriated to Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors to be used to administer the program described in Exhibit A.
Section 4. This resolution shall take effect from and after its final passage, the welfare of the public requiring it.
Agenda Analysis
Analysis
This resolution appropriates $1,630,679 in American Rescue Plan Act (“ARPA”) funds from Fund #30216 to extend the provision of critical immigrant legal services in Davidson County.
On June 7, 2022, the Metropolitan Council passed Resolution No. RS2022-1560, which appropriated $1,820,585 in ARP funds to the Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition (“TIRRC”) and subgrantee Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors (“TNJFON”) for a two-year pilot program for immigration legal services. That resolution stated that the funding represented 87% of the requested funds, with the expectation that the remainder of the program may be funded when additional ARP funds become available. On November 11, 2022, the Council appropriated the additional 13% of requested funding which was $272,042.
On February 6, 2024, the Council adopted Resolution No. RS2024-200 which revised the scope of services under this program.
Due to the success of the pilot program, the COVID-19 Financial Oversight Committee has recommended an extension of this program through June 2026. $797,484 in ARPA funds would be appropriated to TIRRC and $833,195 in ARPA funds would be appropriated to TNJFON. These funds will be used for legal information and education, an immigrant community resources line and resource desk, and legal representation for clients.