By: National Special Districts Association
The National Special Districts Association (NSDA), of which CSDA is a founding member, seeks input from special districts regarding challenges in accessing federal funding. Responses preferred by March 25 to facilitate federal advocacy efforts related to the pending reintroduction of legislation to define special districts in federal law and ensure equitable access to funding.
NOTE: The survey is NOT related to the Trump administration’s recent federal funding freeze and the ongoing challenges that some special districts are experiencing with accessing/receiving payments/reimbursements from certain federal agencies.
The NSDA survey focuses on systemic barriers districts face in securing or competing generally for federal funds. Your feedback will support NSDA’s advocacy to pass our legislation to establish a formal federal definition of "special district" and ensure equitable access to federal financial assistance.
Background and Context
NSDA is working with congressional partners to renew legislative efforts to establish a first-ever, formal definition of “special district” in federal law. In the previous Congress, H.R. 7525 fell just short of the finish line, but we anticipate the reintroduction of this critically important bill in the near future.
A formal definition of “special district” would foster consistency, and enhance and facilitate the inclusion of special districts in Federal programs where appropriate.
Current examples of special districts facing barriers to accessing federal funds include:
- Transportation Alternatives / Rails-to-Trails. Many local park districts are not able to access the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Transportation Alternatives (TA) program, as special districts are not the required Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs).
- USDOT’s Reconnecting Communities Program. Special districts are not listed in the program guidance as eligible entities. However, DOT staff has advised that special districts could qualify as a unit of local government or a non-profit organization depending upon how the district is structured.
- U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Housing Preservation Grants. USDA staff has expressed uncertainty regarding special district eligibility for this grant program.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean-Heavy Duty Vehicles Program. Special districts are not explicitly listed as eligible entities in the program guidance and it remains unclear if districts qualify under the program’s “municipality” umbrella.
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In Case You Missed It
Read last week’s CSDA eNews article: NSDA Coordinating Reintroduction of Federal Special District Definition – Sing on to National Support Team and Download Talking Points.
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