1. Ohio Public Works Commission Funding Opportunities
Linda Bailiff, Program Administrator
Ohio Planning Conference
July 15, 2014
Intro
Streamlined presentation.
However, I want to be sure you get the information you came for so I have provided a handout which gives you the detail. If you did not get one please give me your business card after session and I’ll it to you.
If you are an information junkie and that’s not enough, on the bottom of the back of the handout is our website address…..

2. http://www.pwc.state.oh.us Website Address
Web site – Organized with goals to be useful, easy to understand, informative and complete. We also have added a search capability and will be modifying that soon with the typical Google search window. If you have any difficulty with our site or have a suggestion, please tell me. You’ll find a link to send me an on the Organization tab on home page / click on “Contact Information” in first column

3. OPWC Administered Programs
State Capital Improvement Program (SCIP)
Small Government
Emergency
Local Transportation Improvement Program (LTIP)
Program Listing
OPWC is responsible for the State Capital Improvement Program (SCIP) & Local Transportation Improvement Program (LTIP) which run concurrently on an annual basis.
We also have 2 SCIP set-aside programs: Small Government and Emergency

4. District Map
Here’s our district map. We have a cool interactive map on our site in which the districts individually colorize as you move your mouse over them.
Our project selection process for SCIP and LTIP is locally-driven. We allocate our funds on a per capita basis to the state’s 19 district public works integrating committees which range from a single county with 7 members (D1, Cuyahoga County) up to 11 counties with 30 members (D15 in southern Ohio). These are designated in statue.
Each district has a liaison – in most cases either the region’s planning organization or one of the county’s engineer’s office.

5. State Capital Improvement Program (SCIP)
SCIP Funding
SCIP’s funding authority is provided by the state’s ability to use general revenues as debt support and issue general obligation bonds for local infrastructure improvements.
Created in 1987 and renewed three times (1995, 2005) and most recently, of course, this past May with our highest passage rate yet – 65% - and in 85 of the 88 counties.
Note we refer to our solicitations by program year which typically equates to the same period as the state fiscal year (from July to June) with some minor historical exception. For everyone’s understanding I have used Fiscal Year on the funding chart.
Currently, $150 million/year; PY 29 or FY15 (current solicitation round which just kicked off) with agreements to be released next July
$175 million/year FY (PY30 – 34)
$200 million/year FYs (PY35 –39)

6. SCIP Eligible Applicants
Counties
Cities
Townships
Villages
Water / Sewer Districts (ORC 6119 / 6117)
SCIP Eligible Applicants
Counties (88)
Cities (247)
Townships (1308)
Villages (691)
Water / Sewer Districts (ORC 6119 / 6117)
for more than 2300 eligible entities, fortunately not all competing each year

7. SCIP Eligible Infrastructure
Roads
Bridges & Culverts
Water Supply
Wastewater
Storm Water
Solid Waste
SCIP Eligible Infrastructure
Roads
Bridges & Culverts
Water Supply
Wastewater
Storm Water
Solid Waste
We pay for engineering, r/w, and construction.
Ineligible items include -
Engineering fees above the approved budget in the Project Agreement,
Items that strictly serve an aesthetic purpose including landscaping beyond basic post-construction repair (i.e. seeding and mulching), cost differential for decorative lighting, decorative piers, community welcome signs, and trees grates and tree relocation
For example, we occasionally partner with ODOT on a streetscape. The streetscape items per se can not be a part of the OPWC-funded project even though they are a part of your larger community project. So, when putting together the project costs and financial resources that is something you’ll want to take into account to ensure that you are covered.

8. SCIP Funding Types Grants Loans – Up to 100% Loan Assistance
Up to 90% repair/replacement
Up to 50% new/expansion
Loans – Up to 100%
Loan Assistance
SCIP Funding Types
Grants for up to 90% on repair/replace and up to 50% on new/expansion
At least 20% of each district’s SCIP funds must be used for loans and loan assistance
Loans for up to 100% of the project.
Loan terms cannot exceed the useful life of the project up to 30. The interest rate is recommended by the District at 0, 1, 2 or 3% but we have very few interest loans out there especially in the past few years. Payments begin after project completion and are made twice/year in January and July. Loans may be paid in full with no pre-pay penalty.
Loan payments recycled back to districts thru Revolving Loan Program; same term and & interest rate as SCIP loans. So, this adds approximately $30.5 million annually to the $150m I showed you on the previous funding chart.
We also provide grant/loan combos. Typically, we draw on the grant first and once depleted we draw on the loan.
Note that the grant and loan percentages on the screen are statutory maximums. Our participation rate is based on the amount of funding assistance that has been requested & approved as a percentage of the total project cost. We may be asked for up to 100% or as little as 5%. We could be providing the 20% match for a Federal-aid project. And speaking of Federal-aid, if your project is an ODOT-let project which should be indicated on the application, we work directly with ODOT so unless we are reimbursing for engineering the applicant doesn’t see payment paperwork. Just know, and this is not a knock on our funding partner and host of this conference, it just is what it is, but it takes time to close out Federal-aid projects. Any under-run funds, that is, unspent funds, won’t be returned to the district allocation until we’re notified by ODOT Finance that the project has been finaled.
Loan Assistance - Grant used to pay interest on public or private loan for construction period plus one year and is paid at 100%. OPWC can go back one year from the date of the project agreement to cover interest incurred. This also can take the form of a credit enhancement although we haven’t seen these in quite some time. This is a one-time cash infusion to pay a bond insurance premium to improve the applicant’s credit or bond rating.

9. Local Transportation Improvement Program (LTIP)
LTIP Funding
LTIP funding is 1¢ of motor vehicle fuel tax and due to the constitutional specificity for this tax the program can only be used for roads & bridges.
Annual amount fluctuates with gas tax receipts but is currently coming in just under $59 million.
It is grant Money and available for up to 100% of the project cost. We cannot mix SCIP with LTIP so you can’t get an LTIP grant with a loan.
Approx. $58.9M

10. LTIP Applicants Counties Cities Townships Villages LTIP Applicants
The same as SCIP – counties, cities, townships and villages - except for the exclusion of water and sewer districts because this program only pays for roads and bridges.
Depending on the district’s methodology you apply to either SCIP, LTIP or both. If both the district decides from which program you’ll be funded. Or the district provides the full slate of funded projects to OPWC to decide from which program each project will be funded. It really doesn’t matter how you are funded, just that you are fortunate enough to be funded. The source doesn’t matter. The administration process looks the same except for, of course, the additional paperwork that accompanies a loan.

11. SCIP & LTIP Project Selection
Funds allocated to 19 Districts on per capita basis
Committees of local government & private sector representatives (ORC )
Local decision-making: projects scored/ranked based on factors in state law (ORC & ) but methodologies vary by district
SCIP & LTIP Selection
Each district’s methodology is posted on OPWC’s website and there is considerable commonality and disparity.
Commonality because the methodologies must consider factors specified in state law which include: Age and Condition, Importance to the community’s health and safety, availability of other funding sources &, very importantly, readiness to proceed. Readiness to process means design to be completed within a year or shovel ready. We require projects be under construction within a year of the agreement date.
Disparity because it up to each district how to score those factors and to take in consideration of the infrastructure needs of the district.

12. Program Schedule July-Sept: Application solicitation period.
Sept-Dec: Districts review & score applications.
Dec-Mar: Districts submit applications to OPWC.
Jan-Jun: OPWC reviews/approves district recommendations.
July 1st: Project agreements released.
Program Schedule
We have a general schedule but the specifics are up to each district on determining their calendar. Our Director issues program year guidance and allocations early May each year. Districts can kick off application solicitation once they have received approval on their methodology and schedule from our Director. Districts can and do make changes to their methodology. We start processing district slates upon receipt but must have slates by the end of February. We mail out the project agreements on or about July 1st.

13. Small Government
$15M
Grants and loans to villages & townships with pop in unincorporated areas < 5,000
Up to 7 apps per District
30-day cure period
Selection in May; Agreements July 1st
Small Government
Ok, now for the 2 SCIP set-asides…
Set asides are funds that come off the top of the $150 million annual allocation prior to distribution to Districts. Of course, remember we discussed the SCIP funding increase with the latest renewal. We intend to ask for proportional increases to our set-aside programs in the next capital bill. So, if you do the math, that $15M on the screen should increase to $17.5M for 5 years and then to $20M.
Small Government is a state-wide program and is overseen by the Administrator (me) and its own Commission which is appointed by the Ohio Public Works Commission.
Eligible projects not funded by the district – that is those projects that are owned by villages or rural townships under 5,000 – can be forwarded to compete for a second chance at funding.
Each district can send up to 7. We score their top 5 with remaining 2 held in case an app is ineligible or withdrawn, or to maintain program competitiveness. With the future funding increases we could very well increase the number of allowable apps.
Each applicant has 30 days to cure their application by supplying what is needed to score that project at its best competitive advantage per the SG methodology.
Highly competitive - The total available this year was the $15 million allocation plus revolving loan funds for $18.5 million which allowed us to fund 67% of the total amount of funding requested. Last year, our highest demand in five years, we funded 46% of what was requested. Considering the competitive nature of this program it behooves the applicant to know the methodology, the process, and how to take advantage of the 30-day cure.

14. Emergency Funds $3M Immediate Health & Safety threat
Typically natural disaster type situation; NOT delayed maintenance
Year-round submission; approval at Director’s discretion
ER Funds
Projects that arise out of a catastrophic event which pose an immediate threat to health and safety may be eligible for emergency funds.
These requests are made directly to the respective OPWC Program Representative and can be submitted throughout the year, funded on a first-come, first served basis. They are approved at our Director’s discretion. Considering the spring rains, the summer rains, the forthcoming fall rains, demand has been high. Since the source is SCIP, the local government must provide at least 10%. Our requirements are detailed on our web site. Of course, that $3M, again with the increases under renewal, should increase to $3.5M for 5 years and then to $4M for the following 5 years.
And, if you have any question on what constitutes an emergency…..

15. ER Photo
…….check out the photo log on our web site.
No, we don’t consider potholes an emergency.

16. Tips for Success Plan Know methodology Be complete, clear & concise
Attend project review meetings
Tips for Success
Be Selective - Only submit for projects that are ready to be awarded within a year of release of Agreement;
Review the district’s methodology and see which of your needed infrastructure improvements will score best
Be thorough, check for errors, make your best case
Be prepared to answer questions during committee review

17. Thank you!
Questions?
Thank you for your time and attention.