08/09/2018
UPDATE ON ACCEPTANCE OF APPLICATIONS WHEN FUNDING IS UNAVAILABLE
On July 11, 2018, Staff conducted a stakeholder meeting to gather public input on the regulatory changes proposed in the June 27, 2018 Board item related to acceptance of applications when funding is unavailable. The stakeholder meeting was well attended. Staff would like to thank those stakeholders who provided written feedback and those who attended or watched the webcast.
Stakeholder feedback related to accepting applications and maintaining a list of these applications was centered on several points*:
1.Even though having a list does not provide a guarantee of funding or future state participation, it allowsdistricts to be more successful when planning projects and working to pass local bonds.
2.While the list is not fair to all applicants in all instances, it is better than having no list at all.
3.Having a list is one way to measure need for future facilities funding.
4.Changes in the program should be done through the legislative process in the future
*Transcripts and the webcast of the stakeholder meeting can be found on OPSC’s website.
Staff maintains that there are challenges with the current regulations that allow for acceptance of applications to be placed on the Applications Received Beyond Bond Authority List. However, based on feedback received from stakeholders and absent further Board direction, Staff is not bringing forth an action item to amend the regulations at this time.