City of Phoenix

Recovery Plan 

State and Local Fiscal Recovery 

Funds

2021 Report
City of Phoenix 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 1

City of Phoenix

2021 Recovery Plan

Table of Contents

GENERAL OVERVIEW..............................................................................2

Executive Summary .................................................................................2

Uses of Funds..........................................................................................2

Promoting Equitable Outcomes................................................................4

Community Engagement..........................................................................5

Use of Evidence.......................................................................................5

Table of Expenses by Expenditure Category ...........................................5

PROJECT INVENTORY AND PERFORMANCE REPORT........................6
City of Phoenix 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 2

GENERAL OVERVIEW

Executive Summary 

The City of Phoenix received its first American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Coronavirus State and 

Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF) allocation of $198 million on May 19, 2021. At the 

direction of City Council, the City only received approval for the first allocation. The second 

allocation of $198 million will be awarded in May 2022, and after City Council approval of the 

second ARPA strategic plan in the spring of 2022, the funds will be available to spend beginning 

Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-23. 

On June 8, 2021, City Council approved the ARPA Fund Strategic Plan which comprised of 

three investment focus areas: Community Investment, City Operations Investment, and 

Contingency. Programs were created with the common goal of addressing the needs of the 

community as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The plan includes 47 programs spanning 

areas such as COVID-19 testing and vaccine efforts, homelessness and mental services, 

business assistance, family financial assistance, youth sports and education, technology and 

wireless network improvements, and food insecurity. 

Uses of Funds

Review of CARES Act and Other Relief Programs

Prior to ARPA, the City received COVID-19 relief dollars from various federal programs. The 

following information details funding from the CARES Act and the implementation of the 

Emergency Rental Assistance Program. 

On March 27, 2020, the CARES Act was signed into law to address economic fallout resulting 

from the COVID-19 pandemic. The City was awarded $293 million in Coronavirus Relief Funds 

(CRF) and its intended use was to cover expenditures incurred due to the public health

emergency. On May 5, 2020, the City Council approved a plan to allocate CRF in three major 

categories:

• Community Services - $75 million

• City Operations - $75 million

• Reserve to Preserve City Services - $143 million 

Programmatic expenditures under Community Services were broken down into seven sections 

and funding allocations changed as necessary with reallocation of certain funds throughout the 

year: 

• Business Assistance

• Utility and Rent/Mortgage Assistance

• Distance Learning and Wi-Fi Access

• Mitigation and Care for Vulnerable Populations

• Food Delivery

• Better Health Outcomes and Community Testing

• Unallocated Funds

Additional information about CRF spending can be found online at www.phoenix.gov/covidrelief. 
City of Phoenix 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 3

On Feb. 9, 2021, City Council approved $51.1 million for the City's Emergency Rental 

Assistance (ERA) 1.0 Program to provide financial services to residents needing rent and utility 

assistance. Funding for this program came from the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, 

enacted on Dec. 27, 2020. To best serve the community, the City agreed to administer $26.1 

million through the Human Services Department and the remaining $25 million through Wildfire, 

an experienced nonprofit corporation focused on ending poverty. The City's ERA Program 

launched on March 8, 2021 with the Human Services Department scheduling and completing 

appointments through its Central Intake Line (602) 534-AIDE (2433). On March 22, 2021, 

Wildfire opened its online application portal and has since been receiving and completing ERA 

applications through 11 subcontracted agencies. Program information can be found at 

www.phoenix.gov/renthelp. 

Additionally, the federal government allocated $21.5 billion to continue the national emergency 

rental assistance program, known as ERA 2.0. The City’s share of the ERA 2.0 allocation is 

$55.3 million, however, only 40% has been received to date. This program will be further 

discussed at the Sept. 7, 2021 City Council Policy Session. 

ARPA SLFRF

Fortunately, unlike many cities across the country in 2020, the City of Phoenix was well 

positioned in 2021 to propose new programs through its annual budget process. The City had a 

surplus of $153 million and as per standard practice, solicited feedback from the community on

how to use the surplus through virtual budget hearings in April 2021. In addition to the budget 

hearings, the City launched FundPHX in November 2020, an online tool designed to educate 

and engage the public in the City’s annual budget process. Budget hearing public comments 

and FundPHX responses were used to make changes to budget. This incredible timing of 

community engagement provided advantageous information for the planning of the first 

allocation of ARPA funds. City leaders recommended a robust ARPA strategic plan to City 

Council on May 18, 2021. At this meeting, councilmembers and the community commented on 

the proposed programs. City leadership took the feedback from this meeting and on June 8, 

2021, the City Council approved the recommended ARPA Strategic Plan that is currently being 

implemented. 

As the City is still in its early phases of implementing ARPA programs, departments are 

undergoing meetings to set up key performance indicators, identify evidence-based 

interventions where appropriate, and ensure equitable outcomes are being promoted. The 

Project Inventory and Performance Report section of this plan details all 47 programs, spanning 

areas important to our community, such as COVID-19 testing and vaccine efforts, 

homelessness and mental services, business assistance, family financial assistance, youth 

sports and education, technology and wireless network improvements, and food insecurity. An 

ARPA website is currently being developed and the intent is for all programs to showcase not 

only expenditures but also showcase current outputs of key performance indicators and update 

the community on program successes and program challenges. 
City of Phoenix 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 4

There are six main Expenditure Categories (EC) provided by the US Treasury and in this first 

allocation, the City has proposed programs in four expenditure categories: 

• Public Health (EC 1)

• Negative Economic Impacts (EC 2)

• Services to Disproportionately Impacted Communities (EC 3)

• Revenue Replacement (EC 6) 

Promoting Equitable Outcomes

It is widely agreed that the pandemic exacerbated preexisting inequalities in communities 

across the country. Along with wide disparities in infection and recovery rates by race, ethnicity, 

socioeconomic status, and place of residence, research shows poverty levels are increasing 

and inequality is accelerating. The City of Phoenix is no different in experiencing these 

challenges, as evidenced by the current high need of financial assistance for those struggling to 

pay rent and utilities. The goal is to proactively advance racial equity and inclusion while 

implementing recovery resources. It is imperative the City delivers relief efforts with a focus on 

delivering measurable benefits to residents most impacted and is mindful to not leave 

communities of color behind. 

The City Council was intentional in approving a strategic plan with an equity lens. Many 

programs target vulnerable groups, such as individuals without homes, seniors, veterans, and 

youth groups. It was important to provide services and engage with communities hardest hit by 

the pandemic, including nonprofits, businesses, and frontline workers. A majority of programs

are still working to identify key performance indicators and program evaluations. Staff are

making sure to answer program questions to build strong performance such as: 

• Are there particular historically underserved, marginalized, or adversely affected groups 

that you will serve?

• How equal and practical is the ability for residents or businesses to become aware of the 

services? 

• Are there administrative requirements that result in disparities in ability to complete 

applications or meet eligibility criteria?

• Are the intended outcomes focused on closing gaps, reaching universal levels of 

service, or disaggregating progress by race, ethnicity, and other equity dimensions 

where relevant for the policy objective? 

The City of Phoenix will provide as much program data, both qualitative and quantitative, as 

possible on its ARPA website, debuting later this fall. This information will provide information to 

the public of how the City is achieving its intended targets for each program. As noted in the 

Project Inventory and Performance Report portion of this report, the City’s strategic plan targets 

key areas to address equity:

• Negative Economic Impact: The City currently has 23 programs that full under the 

Negative Economic Impacts expenditure category. These programs consist of 

assistance to households, small businesses, and nonprofits who have been impacted by 

the pandemic. This also includes food assistance, barriers to employment, and other 
City of Phoenix 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 5

strategies to assist disadvantaged groups with access to more opportunities in the 

community. 

• Services to Disproportionately Impacted Communities: The City currently has eight 

programs that full under the Services to Disproportionately Impacted Communities 

expenditure category. This includes services to address health and educational 

disparities to promote healthy environments. 

Community Engagement 

Phoenix has a proud history of engaging its community during critical processes, such as the 

annual budget approval, the City of Phoenix General Plan, street improvements, water resource 

planning, and more. Engagement ranges from community meetings, website updates, on-site 

engagement at a variety of diverse locations, and social media messaging. Information is 

available in both English and Spanish and should there be a request to translate into any other

language, the City has resources to accomplish this. 

It is a top priority of the City to ensure the community, especially among groups with significant 

barriers to services, are aware of ARPA relief programs. A number of program evaluations will 

include capturing participant satisfaction. Valuable feedback from participants will allow staff to 

make changes to current and future ARPA programs. Also, the ARPA website will serve as an 

online resource with information about all programs, including links to important application 

processes. The City is planning to use a portion of ARPA funds to advertise programs through 

GroceryTV, a service that provides digital advertising in checkout lines in grocery stores. This 

tool was successfully used to promote CARES Act programs in 2020. This document will be 

updated to reflect additional community engagement tools the City identifies as programs are 

implemented. 

Use of Evidence 

For each ARPA program, staff are currently identifying which programs will utilize evidencebased interventions or determining program evaluation criteria. This section will be updated at 

its next publication with more information. 

Table of Expenses by Expenditure Category

This section includes Expenditure Categories provided by the US Treasury that the City of 

Phoenix currently has programs in and includes cumulative expenditures since July 31, 2021. 

This chart will be updated in this report each time an updated Recovery Plan is published. 

Category Cumulative

expenditures to 

date ($)

Amount spent 

since last 

Recovery Plan

1 Expenditure Category: Public Health

1.1 COVID-19 Vaccination - -

1.2 COVID-19 Testing $104,880.00 $104,880.00

1.12 Other Public Health Services $857.90 $857.90

2 Expenditure Category: Negative Economic 

Impacts

2.2 Household Assistance: Rent, Mortgage, and 

Utility Aid - -

2.3 Household Assistance: Cash Transfers - -
City of Phoenix 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 6

Category Cumulative

expenditures to 

date ($)

Amount spent 

since last 

Recovery Plan

2.4 Household Assistance: Internet Access 

Programs - -

2.7

Job Training Assistance (e.g., Sectoral jobtraining, Subsidized Employment, Employment 

Supports or Incentives)

- -

2.9 Small Business Economic Assistance (General) - -

2.10 Aid to nonprofit organizations - -

2.12 Aid to Other Impacted Industries - -

2.13 Other Economic Support - -

3 Expenditure Category: Services to 

Disproportionately Impacted Communities

3.1 Education Assistance: Early Learning - -

3.5 Education Assistance: Other - -

3.6 Healthy Childhood Environments: Child Care - -

3.12 Housing Support: Other Housing Assistance - -

6 Expenditure Category: Revenue Replacement

6.1 Provision of Government Services - -

7 Administrative and Other

7.1 Administrative Expenses $21,427.20 $21,427.20

TOTAL $127,165.10 $127,165.10

PROJECT INVENTORY AND PERFORMANCE REPORT

On June 8, 2021, City Council approved the ARPA Strategic Plan for the first allocation of 

funding. The list below includes all 47 programs and approved allocations. Each program will 

include an overview, project expenditure category, and in future reports, will include use of 

evidence description and performance indicators with associated data. This section will be 

updated periodically online as staff defines related program information and is able to provide 

performance report summaries. This report will be submitted annually as required by the US 

Treasury. 
City of Phoenix 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 7

Community Investment $143,000,000

Phoenix Arts, Business, and Employee Assistance Programs $40,000,000

Workforce Training Facility and Training Program - $15,000,000

2.7 – Job Training Assistance*^

This program will seek to leverage funding from IDA, PCDIC, Maricopa County and the Arizona 

Community Foundation to purchase and rehabilitate the old Kmart Building. Arizona State 

University, Maricopa Community Colleges and WestMec would take over all ongoing operations 

and maintenance. The facility would be used to create workforce training programs.

Workforce Wraparound Tuition/Apprentice Program - $10,000,000

2.7 – Job Training Assistance*^

This program will utilize existing and customized training programs, including apprenticeship 

programs, that will leverage the Phoenix Work4orce partnership. These programs will provide 

tuition assistance and wraparound services to Phoenix residents to promote training and job 

placement in high-growth, in-demand industries and occupations while addressing barriers to 

accessing training and employment.

Micro and Small Business Assistance Programs - $8,000,000

2.9 – Small Business Economic Assistance (General)*^

Based on lessons learned from the CRF program, Community and Economic Development

recommends combining the micro and small business programs into one program. This would 

allow for a more efficient and less bureaucratic process. Awards would be either $3K, $5k or 

$10k and would be based on the number of employees. Funding will also be used to provide

assistance to business that have been impacted by COVID-19 and light rail development. For 

these businesses award amounts would be 50% higher due to the double impact of COVID and 

light rail construction.

Nonprofit Arts and Culture Stabilization Grants - $2,750,000

2.10 – Aid to Nonprofit Organizations*

The Nonprofit Arts and Culture Stabilization Grants will provide two-years of funding to help 

Phoenix’s nonprofit arts and culture organizations manage their operations, personnel, and 

programming as they welcome back audiences, guests, and patrons to their services. This twoyear program awards recovery grants to eligible Phoenix-based arts and cultural nonprofit 

organizations of all sizes who demonstrate intent, commitment, and strategies to sustain well 

beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizations must have been in operation prior to March 1, 

2020.

Small Business Workforce Program - $2,000,000

2.9 – Small Business Economic Assistance (General)*^

This program will provide assistance to small businesses (less than 100 employees) in Phoenix. 

Staff would market workforce connections to small businesses through special visits, marketing, 

social media, chambers and others. Funds will assist business owners with training and hiring a 

new workforce and retraining their existing workforce.

Artists to Work - $1,000,000

2.12 – Aid to Other Impacted Industries

The Artists to Work program will enable the City to contract artists to develop temporary 

projects, installations, and performances. These commissions would reactivate a wide range of 

public spaces, including parks, trails, community centers, and neighborhood areas not usually 
City of Phoenix 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 8

defined or programmed as cultural spaces. The events could range from outdoor community 

performances of music, opera, theater, poetry, etc., to temporary outdoor 

installations/exhibitions of sculptures, paintings, and other forms throughout the city. 

Arts Career Advancement Grants - $500,000

2.12 – Aid to Other Impacted Industries

Grants will support working artists or arts workers who have experienced job loss, indefinitely 

postponed or canceled events and residencies, or terminated contracts due to the pandemic. 

Funding will cover lost income, support services to grow artistic skills, equipment or business 

operations recovery costs, and participation in an exhibit, festival, vendor showcase, or artist 

residency. Applications will be open from August 25 to October 6, 2021. More information can 

be found at www.phoenix.gov/arts/grants-program. 

Arts and Culture Internship Program - $500,000

2.7 – Job Training Assistance*^

The Arts and Culture Internship Program is a two-year program that will allow nonprofit arts and 

culture organizations and for-profit creative industries the opportunity to hire full-time interns for 

twenty weeks. The internships provide undergraduate students with meaningful on-the-job 

training and experience working in the cultural sector. The program ultimately strengthens 

Phoenix’s workforce by providing access to high-quality opportunities for college students of all 

backgrounds to gain experience, understanding, and transferable skills relevant to careers in 

and out of the arts, the creative economy, and engagement in public life.

Personnel/Technical Assistance/Professional Development Programs - $250,000

7.1 – Administrative Expenses

Funding will allow the Office of Arts and Culture to reallocate a current vacant position or hire a 

new position to coordinate and spread the word about the work. It also includes funds for 

continued technical assistance and professional development in financial sustainability, 

business practices, and reopening strategies.

Mitigation and Care for Vulnerable Populations $31,500,000

*Denotes programs related to the City’s Homelessness Strategy

Funds are intended to be used to provide resources needed to properly address the needs of 

persons experiencing or facing homelessness during the public health emergency, persons 

suffering from mental and/or behavioral health conditions, veterans, seniors and our refugee 

communities. A few examples of how funds may be used are listed below:

*Homelessness and Mental Health- $10,500,000

1.10– Mental Health Services*

This funding provides City Council with the resources needed to address a variety of 

opportunities including but not limited to mental and behavioral health, rehabilitation centers, 

and homelessness. These funds could also be leveraged with funds from other units of local 

government and the non-profit community to provide regional solutions to these issues. This 

program will be discussed further at the September 21, 2021 City Council Policy Session. 
City of Phoenix 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 9

Edison Impact Hub - $5,000,000

1.12 – Other Public Health Services

Funds will be used to retrofit the historic children’s hospital from a vacant, dilapidated building to 

a community services center that will provide medical offices and other services to the 

community.

*US Vets and Veteran Relief - $4,500,000

1.12 – Other Public Health Services

Funds will provide relief for Veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness during the 

pandemic. Many of our vets are more vulnerable to COVID-19 due to living conditions, age, and 

chronic health complications. Funding could also provide additional operational support needed 

by the US Vets Organization to transition into the property purchased earlier this year with 

COVID Relief Funds.

*Summer Heat Respite - $3,000,000

1.12 – Other Public Health Services

Funds will be used to create a heat respite/cooling center to provide a place of respite during 

the summer for individuals experiencing homelessness. The center would be operated May 

through September for 7 days a week, during the warmest times of the day (9am-7pm) and 

provide guests with a place to socially distance due to COVID-19 and include meals, outreach 

and other supports. Funding would be used for a temporary shelter, insurance, utilities, tables 

and chairs, security, janitorial services, bio-waste removal services, IT services, meals, water, 

and staffing.

Financial Assistance for Phoenix Refugee and Asylee Community - $3,000,000

2.10 – Aid to Nonprofit Organization

Funds will be used to support nonprofit agencies serving the refugee and asylee community, as 

well as to create full-time staff support to provide services to this community. These positions 

would act as navigators that would help this community navigate government services and 

programs. 

Memory Café Program - $2,000,000

1.12 – Other Public Health Services

This funding will expand the City’s Memory Café program for senior center members and their 

caregivers. Memory Cafes stimulate participants through music therapy, art and memory 

exercises, and are a key contributor to the Dementia Friendly City initiative.

Area Agency on Aging’s Goods2HOME - $2,000,000

1.12 – Other Public Health Services

Funding will continue to support the Area of Agency on Aging’s Goods2HOME program which 

the City support with CARES Act funding in 2020. This program provides delivery services to 

low-income, disabled, and homebound seniors who need medication and sanitation supplies. 

Justa Center - $1,000,000

1.12 – Other Public Health Services

This funding will support the restoration of the Justa Center, a building currently owned by the 

Area Agency on Aging (AAA). The Justa Center serves vulnerable seniors experiencing 

homelessness and would seek to leverage funds with Maricopa County and the State to build a 

transitional or bridge housing complex next to the Justa Center.
City of Phoenix 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 10

Bus Stop Shelters - $500,000

1.12 – Other Public Health Services

As part of the T2050 plan, the Public Transit Department has a goal of installing 80 new bus 

shelters per year. This additional funding will increase this goal to 100 shelters per year over the 

next two years. Bus shelters will be placed in locations currently without shade and provide heat 

relief to transit users. 

Households and Residential Assistance $28,000,000

*Denotes programs related to the City’s Homelessness Strategy

*Financial Assistance for Phoenix Families - $12,000,000

2.3 – Household Assistance: Cash Transfers*^

Funds would be used to provide financial assistance to help low-to-moderate income families in 

Phoenix. The intent of this funding would be to ensure that families have resources needed to 

provide quality childcare and to cover other household expenses. Resources could also be used 

to provide mini-grants to Phoenix childcare facilities in low-to-moderate census tracks for 

technology upgrades that could include classroom screens, web-cam access, digital sign in/out 

software, childcare management software, and/or general WiFi upgrades. This program will be 

discussed further at the September 21, 2021 City Council Policy Session.

*Utility & Rent/Mortgage Assistance - $10,000,000

2.2 – Household Assistance: Rent, Mortgage and Utility Aid *^

A portion of these funds will be used to provide residents with City water, sewer and trash, 

electric, internet/broadband, natural gas utility and rent/mortgage assistance. Funds are 

intended to be used on residents who don’t qualify for the City’s more restrictive $106M 

Emergency Rent Assistance Programs (ERA 1 and ERA 2). A portion of funds will also be used 

to provide landlord incentives as part of the Emergency Housing Vouchers program. This 

program will be discussed further at the September 7, 2021 City Council Policy Session. 

Airport Childcare Facility - $5,000,000

3.6 – Health Childhood Environments: Child Care*^

Funds will be used to provide childcare options for hospitality workers at the airport. A survey 

was sent to companies that do business at Sky Harbor International Airport and of the 

companies that responded, an overwhelming majority were in favor of offering childcare 

services to workers at the airport.

Bus Card Subsidy Program - $1,000,000

3.12 – Housing Support: Other Housing Assistance*^

Funds will be used to provide subsidies and fare assistance to residents that rely on public 

transportation.

Youth Sports, Recreation, Education and After-School $28,800,000

Citywide Wireless Network Project and Partnership with Phoenix Union - $10,000,000

2.4 – Household Assistance: Internet Access Programs*^

Funds will be used to continue building the community wireless network project that was initially 

approved by City Council using the Coronavirus Relief Fund. The project is a partnership 

between the City, Phoenix Union, and others.
City of Phoenix 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 11

Early Childhood Education Expansion - $6,000,000

3.1 – Education Assistance: Early Learning

Funding will be used to create a program to increase access to early childhood education for 

500 preschool children, ages four to five. The proposed program would mirror performance 

standards, quality control, and curriculum of the Head Start Program while allowing eligible 

families to be at 200% of poverty level rather than the Head Start mandated 100% of poverty 

level. Additionally, approximately half of this funding will be used to provide First Things First 

scholarships for early childhood services (childcare and preschool) for children birth to five.

After-School Grant for Phoenix Schools - $2,500,000

3.5 – Education Assistance: Other*^

Funds will be available for school districts and charter schools who commit to providing free or 

affordable after-school programs in-line with the Phoenix After-School Center (PAC) program. 

Wi-Fi Connectivity for Community Centers and Public Housing Properties - $2,300,000

2.4 – Household Assistance: Internet Access Programs*^

Funds will provide access to internet connectivity in community centers and public housing 

properties in an attempt to bridge the digital divide that impacted communities during pandemic.

StartupPHX @ Burton Barr - $1,400,000

2.7 – Job Training Assistance*^

Funds will be used to provide a broader range of services to the community by expanding the 

Hive @ Central. The expansion would include the addition of two meeting rooms, a graphics 

station, and technical assistance for small business owners. For programming, funds would be 

used to contract with a vendor to provide the Business Roadmap and MAPA Para Us Negocio 

series for teens and adults. The contracted vendor would be responsible for curriculum 

development and facilitating all sessions in English and Spanish.

College Depot Assistance for Students - $1,000,000

2.4 – Household Assistance: Internet Access Programs*^

Funds will be used to purchase laptops and hotspots to loan out to students who have struggled 

with staying connected to school during the pandemic. The program would loan selected 

students a laptop and hotspot for the summer to help level the playing field in education. High 

school students with a district issued device need to turn in their laptops at the end of the school 

year and will not regain access to them until the school year resumes in August. This program 

will allow students to continue skill building, summer job hunting, and virtual programs 

throughout the summer.

Library Bookmobile for Underserved Areas - $700,000

3.5 – Education Assistance: Other*^

The library department has several pieces of land for future library branches located in fast 

growing areas. Since a bond program is a few years away, we propose purchasing a large 

bookmobile that could be used to provide service from library property at 67tth Avenue and 

Lower Buckeye.

PHXWorks at Burton Barr and Ocotillo - $600,000

2.4 – Household Assistance: Internet Access Programs*^

Funds will be used to purchase laptops and hotspots to leverage resources and provide extra 

services for the community. The library will partner with CED to establish a Job Services Center 

in Burton Barr Central Library and at Ocotillo Library. Workforce laptops and hotspots will be 

available for customers to check out for a 3-week check out period.
City of Phoenix 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 12

Parks After-School Programs - $500,000

3.5 – Education Assistance: Other*^

Funds will be used to expand PAC programming to 10 additional sites. This affordable afterschool recreation and enrichment program provides youth ages six to 13 a fun, supportive, and

educational atmosphere during crucial afterschool hours.

Youth Sports League Grants - $500,000

3.5 – Education Assistance: Other*^

Funds will be used to offer financial assistance or stipends to at-risk, underserved and lowincome youth to participate in youth sports and recreational leagues. 

Early Literacy Tutoring Support - $300,000

3.1 – Education Assistance: Early Learning*^

The library would use funds to partner with ASU’s America Reads tutoring program to provide 

1:1 reading tutoring to emerging readers in 1st through 4th grade who lost ground due to the 

pandemic. Tutoring would be provided by ASU students and the library will provide Wi-Fi 

provisioned tablet computers to facilitate virtual tutoring as needed.

Library Technology, Capital and Staff Support - $3,000,000

7.1 – Administrative Expenses

Funds will be used to cover the costs of various technological and capital enhancements 

identified by library staff including but not limited to online catalog enhancements, tablets and 

hotspots for lending and onsite use, outdoor signage upgrades and automated materials 

handler replacement at Mesquite Library.

Phoenix Resilient Food System $9,700,000

Economic Development and Innovation - $3,400,000

2.13 – Other Economic Support*^

This portion of the Phoenix Food Initiative includes the following programs:

• Feed Phoenix Program – This program is a continuation of the CRF funded Feed 

Phoenix Program. Under this program, the Local First Arizona Foundation 

delivered over 80,000 meals.

• Worker Cooperative Sustainable Food System Business Incubator – This 

program will focus on developing worker cooperatives for sustainable food 

business enterprises through a collaboration with the private sector.

• Agri-Food Technology Grants – This program will provide funding and incentives 

to encourage food system entrepreneurs and innovative food businesses to 

expand or locate in Phoenix.

Equity and Inclusion - $2,400,000

2.13 – Other Economic Support*^

This portion of the Phoenix Food Initiative includes the following programs:

• LISC Phoenix Funds to Feed Phoenix – This program is a continuation of the 

CRF funded program that provides funding for community and grassroots 

organizations.

• Urban Agriculture Fellowship – Provide funding for a one-year fellowship for high 

school and college age students with local food producers with 60% for Black, 

Indigenous, and persons of color participants.

• Council District Food Action Plans or Initiatives – The program would focus on 

districts with food deserts, high food insecurity and hunger rates to identify 
City of Phoenix 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 13

whether a council specific food plan would be feasible and desired or whether 

more specific projects or initiatives would be preferred.

Local Food Consumption/Production - $1,500,000

2.13 – Other Economic Support*^

This portion of the Phoenix Food Initiative includes the following programs:

• Farmland Preservation – In partnership with nonprofits and land trusts, assist in 

the purchase and preservation of up 100 acres of land for agriculture in Phoenix.

• Backyard Food Production Pilot – Provide grant funding to 100 residents located 

in food deserts for backyard gardens and community gardens using aquaponics, 

raised beds, and other water conservative growing methods.

Food Banks and Pantries Support - $1,300,000

2.13 – Other Economic Support*^

This funding would be used to provide resources for local food banks and food pantries to 

provide food and other resources for struggling families. Staff will ensure broad engagement 

with small, medium and large foodbanks and pantries ensuring outreach and emphasis with 

smaller community-based food banks and food pantries. 

Meals That Work - $700,000

2.13 – Other Economic Support*^

This program will prepare and deliver 1,000 meals for 26 weeks to social service organizations, 

such as St. Vincent de Paul, schools, and more. Fourteen food service employees at the 

Convention Center will be utilized to prepare the meals. 

Resilient Food System - $200,000

2.13 – Other Economic Support*^

This portion of the Phoenix Food Initiative includes the following program:

• Resilient and Sustainable Agriculture Projects – Provide grant funding to farms 

for advancing technologies and methods that address growing food in our 

changing climate.

Outreach and Support Staff - $200,000

7.1 – Administrative Expenses

This funding would be used provide advertising and outreach efforts to ensure funding allocated 

under this program is fully maximized. Funding would be used to sponsor community events, 

stakeholder meetings, and to produce digital and print advertisements. Funding would also be 

used to hire two full-time positions for the next two fiscal years. These positions will manage and 

monitor all of the activities in the Phoenix Sustainable Food Initiative.

Better Health Outcomes and Community Testing and Vaccines - $5,000,000

1.2 – COVID-19 Testing^

Funds will be used to provide resources needed to ensure resident COVID-19 testing and 

vaccination efforts remain available through the duration of the public health emergency. This 

includes education, outreach, and incentives, with a focus in communities of color. Funds could 

also be used to purchase PPE and other public health related materials for the community as 

needed. Funds have already been used to continue mobile testing and vaccinations in hot spot 

locations and underserved communities. 
City of Phoenix 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 14

City Operations Investment $50,000,000

Infrastructure, Technology and Capital Needs - $23,000,000

2.13 Other Economic Support

Funds are intended to be used to provide resources needed to address capital needs. 

Examples include purchasing spare ambulance units so that Fire has enough units in service 

while units are being decontaminated after a service call. During the Great Recession the City 

was forced to close its central stores warehouse and as a result during the height of the 

pandemic staff used the empty convention center to warehouse materials. As that space is no 

longer available, funds may be used to lease, buy or construct a warehouse to store PPE and

critical inventory. Funds may also be used to address other technology and capital projects 

within the federal guidelines which include the rehabilitation of the 27th Avenue Recycling 

Facility. Staff would also like to allocate a portion of this funding to address green energy, flood 

control and stormwater projects. Due to the large-scale nature of many of these projects, it is 

assumed that funding would be allocated in both ARPA allocations.

Revenue Replacement - $22,400,000

6.1 – Provision of Government Services

Funds will be used to replace lost revenue at the Convention Center and to offset COVID-19 

worker’s compensation claims. COVID-19 has had a severe impact on the Convention Center 

bookings. It is likely that large conventions and the associated hospitality industry will be among 

the slowest to recover and revenue will continue to be weak. Using the prescribed Treasury 

formula, staff has determined that up to $31 million of the revenue lost by the Convention 

Center is eligible for revenue replacement. Staff recommends replacing this revenue over two 

years rather than all at once. It is important to note that the General Fund serves as the financial 

backstop for the Convention Center so replacing lost revenue with ARPA funds significantly 

reduces risk to the General Fund. ARPA also allows the City to offset costs for COVID-related 

worker’s compensation trust fund expenses that can be tied to COVID-19 employee claims. The 

City anticipates over $2.4 million in worker’s compensation claims that can be replaced with 

ARPA funds. This action would reduce the actuarial impact to future City resources. 

Administrative Oversight, Compliance and Outreach Efforts - $4,000,000

7.1 – Administrative Expenses

Funds are intended to be used to provide staffing necessary to support federal compliance 

efforts. Staffing additions will also assist with enhancing community outreach to improve service 

delivery and to increase transparency on city progress for all approved programs via an 

enhanced website.

PPE/Cleanings/Sanitizing/Testing and Vaccine Distribution - $600,000

1.1 – COVID-19 Vaccination^

Funds will be used to provide to ensure staff have access to necessary PPE, cleaning and 

sanitizing materials. Funds will also be used to ensure that workstations and common areas are 

appropriately cleaned. Additionally, funds will be used to offset any additional expense incurred 

to ensure that all city staff, family members and contractors have access to both vaccines and 

COVID testing.
City of Phoenix 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 15

Contingency $5,000,000

Contingency for Future Needs 

1.12 – Other Public Health Services

A contingency is proposed to preserve resources in case the federal government changes 

guidance to allow the funds to be used in new areas of concern for the council or to supplement 

funding for an approved program that exhausts its allocation of funds before more funding 

becomes available. The contingency would also be available to cover other unexpected COVID19 expenses that could occur later in the year. One project already underway is the Transit Heat 

Respite which is providing a 40-foot bus at the Human Services Campus, where individuals 

experiencing homelessness are located, to prevent heat-related illnesses and deaths among 

vulnerable populations.