COVID-19 UPDATES FOR COUNTY OFFICIALS

As issues continue to develop and change at a quick rate with COVID-19, the Coronavirus, we at the Wisconsin Counties Association (WCA) are working alongside Governor Tony Evers, the Administration, the National Association of Counties (NACo) and our general counsel, Attolles Law, s.c., to provide the latest resources and updates to assist county officials during this unprecedented time.

Q&A – CONSIDERATIONS FOR COUNTIES UNDER THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT OF 2021

March 31, 2021

President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“ARPA”) into law on March 11, 2021. In simple terms, the ARPA is a $1.9 trillion federal spending package intended to provide economic and other relief related to the Covid-19 pandemic.  In addition to the subsidy payments made to local governments, the ARPA contains many provisions impacting employment practices within counties. 

The Wisconsin Counties Association and its general counsel, von Briesen & Roper, s.c., have received many questions surrounding ARPA, interpretation of its terms, and its impact on counties. Our general counsel has prepared the Q&A below, which focuses on COBRA subsidies and the voluntary extension to state and local governments of those federal paid sick and family medical leave benefits previously made available to private employers under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).  County officials are encouraged to review this guidance carefully with corporation counsel to ensure appropriate interpretation and otherwise assess the impact of any local rules, policies and regulations.