Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania

Recovery Plan

State and Local Fiscal Recovery 

Funds (SLFRF)

2021 Recovery Plan Performance 

Report
Westmoreland County 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 1

Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania

2021 Recovery Plan

Table of Contents

General Overview......................................................................................................................2

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

Other Recovery Funds ............................................................................................................3

Uses of Funds .........................................................................................................................4

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

 Other Expenditures Categories Being Considered .................................................................5

Community Engagement .........................................................................................................7

Labor Practices .......................................................................................................................8

Use of Evidence ......................................................................................................................8

Performance Report ................................................................................................................8

Table of Expenses by Expenditure Category...........................................................................8

 Required Performance Indicators and Programmatic Data............................................10

Project Inventory.....................................................................................................................11
Westmoreland County 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 2

GENERAL OVERVIEW

Executive Summary 

Due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, the Westmoreland County Board of 

Commissioners have methodically allocated millions of dollars in federal, state, and local

assistance to small businesses, municipal governments, fire departments, and nonprofits 

within the county to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and assist those who were 

negatively impacted by the pandemic.

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 allocates a total of $105.3 million in State and 

Local Fiscal Recovery Funds to Westmoreland County. In May 2021, Westmoreland 

County received the first half of these funds in the amount of $52.6 million with the 

second half anticipated to be received approximately one year after the first installment. 

Until the U.S. Treasury’s Final Rule has been released, the Board of Commissioners 

are taking spending recommendations that comply with the Treasury’s Interim Final 

Rule under consideration, but recognize that this preliminary plan will be reevaluated 

and redistributed once the Final Rule is issued. Therefore, the information contained in 

this preliminary Recovery Plan Performance Report is under consideration but does not 

represent a commitment. 

Unaware of the impending pandemic, the current Westmoreland County Board of 

Commissioners commissioned two studies in February 2020: one for human services 

and a second for broadband services. These studies were in the field as the pandemic 

lockdowns began, and the reports were enlightening with respect to the needs in 

Westmoreland County. At this time, we have received the results of these reports, and 

we are preparing for some public hearings regarding the American Recovery Plan Act 

(ARPA) funds. 

April 1, 2021 to 

March 31, 2022

April 1, 2022 to 

March 31, 2023

Year-1 Year-2

Study Broadband Completed in 2020 X X X X

Study Human Services Completed in 2020 X X X X

Present Broadband Report X X X X X X X X

Present Human Services Report X X X X X X X X

Submit grant to fund a Human Services Director X X X X X X X X

Public Hearings on SLFRF X X X X X X X X

Development of Recovery Plan X X X X
Westmoreland County 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 3

Through July 31, 2021, Westmoreland County has expensed and/or encumbered around 

$1.2 million of the SLFR funds. These uses include personal protective equipment, 

vaccine clinic signage, webEx licenses, cyber security software, and premium pay for 

primary election workers. More information on projects can be found beginning on page 

11 of this report under the Project Inventory section. Larger projects and spending plans 

are suspended until the Treasury Final Rule is released. Therefore, key outcome goals 

are primitive as decisions and project development are still under consideration. 

Other Recovery Funds

As previously stated, since the beginning of the pandemic, Westmoreland County has 

administered multiple forms of COVID-specific federal, state, and local assistance in 

response to the pandemic. From small business grants to emergency rent and utility relief 

to direct municipal allocations, Westmoreland County continues to administer myriad 

forms of COVID-related financial assistance that—coupled with traditional grant programs 

administered by Westmoreland County--forms the total context in which to view SLFRF 

investments.

In July 2020, Westmoreland County was awarded $31.5 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, 

and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding through the County Relief Block Grant 

(CRBG). Of the $31.5 million, around $7 million went towards assisting non-profit 

organizations within the County, $6.4 million was awarded to small businesses in the 

County, municipalities were awarded around $1 million, and fire departments were 

awarded over $600,000. Additionally, $16 million went towards County response, 

planning and outreach. 

In addition, Westmoreland County received $10.3 million in Emergency Rental Assistance 

Program (ERAP) ERA1 funds from the US Treasury, $12.5 million from the PA 

Department of Human Services, and an additional $3.2 million in ERA2 funds, also from 

the U.S. Treasury. This program was created to assist renters and landlords with a 

financial hardship due to COVID-19 to help avoid eviction. The program is being 

administered by The Union Mission, an emergency shelter located in Westmoreland County. 

To date, Westmoreland County has awarded $2.7 million and the program remains open 

for eligible applicants. 

In March 2021, the County was awarded $3.9 million in COVID-19 Hospitality Industry 

Recovery Program (CHIRP) funds assistance to Westmoreland County hospitality 

businesses in need. 145 businesses received funds ranging from award amounts of 

$10,000 up to $37,429.

The American Rescue Plan also allocated nearly $35 million to Westmoreland County’s 

65 municipalities and over $66 million to 17 school districts in Westmoreland County 

though the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) fund. 
Westmoreland County 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 4

Westmoreland County’s plan is contingent upon the Treasury Final Rule. Upon 

release, the Board of Commissioners will set forth a more concrete SLFRF 

spending plan.

Promoting equitable outcomes

Westmoreland County Commissioners recognize the unique identities, backgrounds, and cultures 

of the residents in the County, and there’s a desire to embrace diversity and create equity. 

Through public engagement, efforts will be made to listen to all residents equally and equitably, 

regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, etc. Everyone’s voice will be heard with respect.

The County will explore this area once the Treasury Final Rule is released. 

Uses of Funds

The following is a list of eligible uses under deliberation by the Board of Commissioners, 

while awaiting the Final Rule.

Uses Under Consideration (Subject to Change upon release of the Treasury Final 

Rule)

Revenue Replacement – EC 6

Revenue replacement, expenditure category 6, is being considered by the Westmoreland 

County Board of Commissioners to recover lost revenues due to the COVID-19 public 

health emergency. The calculation provided by the Treasury Interim Final Rule will be 

used to determine the estimated amount of reduction in revenue.

Intended Outcomes

The loss of revenue impeded the County’s ability to provide all governmental services 

previously delivered pre-pandemic. Cost cutting measures were taken, including 

furloughing nearly 500 employees, many of which served in human services departments. 

Recovering lost revenue will allow the County to serve the over 250,000 residents at prepandemic levels.

Goals

The pandemic resulted in several county residents in large need of human services 

programs, many of which are not fully funded through state funding. Restoring revenue 

reduction will ensure residents of Westmoreland County are receiving critical services to 

assist in recovery, particularly in the Qualified Census Tract (QCT) pictured below. 
Westmoreland County 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 5

Services where there has been an increase in need include, but are not limited to, the 

following list: 

 Area Agency on Aging

 Westmorland Manor (County-owned nursing home)

 Children’s Bureau

 Community Development

 Mental Health and Developmental Services

 Human Services

 Housing Assistance

Infrastructure: Broadband – EC 5:

Westmoreland County Commissioners are considering spending a portion of the SLFRF 

funds towards regional broadband. A 2018 Comprehensive Plan listed broadband to be 

a key core objective in Westmoreland County. In this modern age, the internet is an 

increasingly integral part of nearly every aspect life1, particularly with the rise in remote 

work, learning, and healthcare. Per the Commonwealth: "High speed internet access is 

essential to growing our economy, expanding educational opportunities for our children, 

increasing access to modern healthcare, and improving the safety of our communities. 

[The goal is to] close the digital divide ensuring every citizen and business has the 

access it needs to connect to the ever-expanding digital world in which we live and 

work." 

Intended Outcomes

The County recognizes the importance that internet access plays in everyday life and 

the investment in the infrastructure needed to expand or enhance broadband 

connectivity in underserved areas. Aggressively expanding and enhancing the County’s 

technology infrastructure will work to close the digital divide.1

In 2020, prior to the pandemic effecting Westmoreland County, a regional broadband 

study was conducted to determine where internet access expansion is necessary, 

particularly in many rural areas of the County creating a digital divide. The pandemic has 

made affordable, dependable internet access mission critical to daily life to allow County 

residents to safely attend school, work, appointments and activities, connect with friends 
Westmoreland County 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 6

and family, or access information from critical resources from the safety of their own 

home.

Goals

The strategy to expand broadband services throughout the county, with the largest focus 

being in rural areas of the county, would be to partner with municipalities, school districts, 

and other counties to expand broadband infrastructure. As with many other disparities, 

the pandemic emphasized an already uneven playing field and the goal is to bring those 

underserved communities up to the same level as those areas with strong connectivity. 

Other Expenditures Categories Being Considered 

(Subject to Change upon release of the Treasury Final Rule)

The Westmoreland County Board of Commissioners will also take the following 

expenditure categories under consideration, subject to the release of the Treasury Final 

Rule: 

Public Health – EC1: An undetermined portion of the SLFRF funds will be allocated 

towards public health and COVID-19 pandemic response, including COVID-19 testing, 

personal protective equipment, and other COVID-19 public health expenses. Public 

health outcome goals include increasing the number of vaccinated residents of 

Westmoreland County and mitigating the spread of COVID-19. 

A human services study was conducted revealed that the County needs to design, 

develop, and deploy an online survey of human service providers in Westmoreland 

County to gauge perceptions of ecosystem strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and 

threats, including a special section on the impacts of COVID-19.

Negative Economic Impacts – EC 2: Westmoreland County is home to many highperforming provider agencies working tirelessly to meet the needs of the county’s most 

vulnerable citizens. To meet the increasing demand for human services, the County 

Commissioners will consider increasing provider capacity to ensure they are fully 

equipped to meet the evolving complex needs of a growing number of vulnerable 

people. Those citizens, small businesses, and non-profits of the county who have 

experienced negative economic impact are in need of assistance in recovering from the 

COVID-19 pandemic. The effect of a shrinking budget is further exacerbated by the 

impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on service providers. An average of 87 percent of 

nonprofits experienced negative financial impact in contrast while 36 percent reported 

an increase in demand for services (The Pittsburgh Foundation; United Way of 

Southwestern Pennsylvania). 2

1 Westmoreland County 2018 Comprehensive Plan: Reimagining Our Westmoreland

2. 2021 Human Services Study: Improving Human Services in Westmoreland County, The Hill Group
Westmoreland County 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 7

Services to Disproportionately Impacted Communities - EC 3: Another area that the 

Westmoreland County Commissioners will take into consideration is services to 

disproportionately impacted communities. Housing and shelter services for individuals 

who are, or are at risk of becoming, homeless seem to be acutely low, possibly with 

fewer emergency beds and transitional housing options than any other county of our 

size and scope (The Pittsburgh Foundation). Officials from United Way of 

Southwestern Pennsylvania’s 2-1-1 service noted that up to two-thirds of the 1,300 calls 

received by staff in January 2021 were related to housing or rental assistance. This 

conflict in increasing demand and inadequate levels of service as indicated by a 

provider survey, which was conducted in 2020, presents significant issues to the 

County’s ability in being able to meet resident needs.2 Funds from the American Rescue 

Plan Act’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) are currently being used to 

address this growing concern. The largest focus for consideration will be within the 

Qualified Census Tract (QCT) as mentioned and shown above.

Community Engagement

Pending the Treasury Final Rule, the Westmoreland County Board of Commissioners 

will take feedback received from their constituents under consideration. Along with the 

survey on the County’s website, which allows stakeholders to prioritize allowable 

expenditure categories, Commissioners will hold public hearings for additional feedback 

before developing a spending plan. The online SLFRF survey can be found at 

https://www.co.westmoreland.pa.us/ARPAsurvey

Labor Practices 

Workforce practices on any infrastructure (EC 5) projects being pursued will follow the 

prevailing Pennsylvania Wage Requirements, as determined by the Pennsylvania 

Secretary of Labor and Industry. At this time, the County does not have projects in this 

category but will determine workforce practices on infrastructure projects being pursued 

(EC 5) using strong labor standards to promote effective and efficient delivery of high 

quality infrastructure projects while also supporting the economic recovery through 

strong employment opportunities for workers. 

Additional labor standards will be implemented at the discretion of the Westmoreland

County Board of Commissioners. 

Use of Evidence 

Until the Treasury Final Rule is released, evidenced-based interventions and/or if projects 

are being evaluated through rigorous program evaluations that are designed to build 

evidence are unidentified. 

Pursuant to guidance in the Treasury Final Rule, Westmoreland County will utilize 

evidence-based interventions and program evaluations, where appropriate and required.
Westmoreland County 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 8

Performance Report

Due to the interim status of the Treasury Final Rule, Westmoreland County has not 

finalized SLFRF spending decisions and, therefore, does not currently have specific 

SLFRF projects for which to report key performance indicators. 

Westmoreland County will report both key performance indicators and progress-to-date 

on chosen indicators on its 2022 Recovery Plan Performance Report. This will include 

both self-selected and mandatory performance indicators required by Treasury and 

specific to Expenditure Category. 

Table of Expenses by Expenditure Category

Category Cumulative 

expenditures to 

date ($)

Amount spent 

since last 

Recovery Plan

1 Expenditure Category: Public Health

1.1 COVID-19 Vaccination $231.00

1.2 COVID-19 Testing $26,355.14

1.3 COVID-19 Contact Tracing

1.4 Prevention in Congregate Settings (Nursing 

Homes, Prisons/Jails, Dense Work Sites, 

Schools, etc.)

$341,921.44

1.5 Personal Protective Equipment $8,779.72

1.6 Medical Expenses (including Alternative Care 

Facilities)

1.7 Capital Investments or Physical Plant Changes 

to Public Facilities that respond to the COVID19 public health emergency

$365,039.58

1.8 Other COVID-19 Public Health Expenses 

(including Communications, Enforcement, 

Isolation/Quarantine)

1.9 Payroll Costs for Public Health, Safety, and 

Other Public Sector Staff Responding to 

COVID-19

1.10 Mental Health Services

1.11 Substance Use Services

1.12 Other Public Health Services

2 Expenditure Category: Negative Economic 

Impacts

2.1 Household Assistance: Food Programs 

2.2 Household Assistance: Rent, Mortgage, and 

Utility Aid 

2.3 Household Assistance: Cash Transfers 

2.4 Household Assistance: Internet Access 

Programs

2.5 Household Assistance: Eviction Prevention
Westmoreland County 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 9

Category Cumulative 

expenditures to 

date ($)

Amount spent 

since last 

Recovery Plan

2.6 Unemployment Benefits or Cash Assistance to 

Unemployed Workers

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

Supports or Incentives)

2.8 Contributions to UI Trust Funds*

2.9 Small Business Economic Assistance (General)

2.10 Aid to nonprofit organizations

2.11 Aid to Tourism, Travel, or Hospitality

2.12 Aid to Other Impacted Industries

2.13 Other Economic Support 

2.14 Rehiring Public Sector Staff

3 Expenditure Category: Services to 

Disproportionately Impacted Communities

3.1 Education Assistance: Early Learning 

3.2 Education Assistance: Aid to High-Poverty 

Districts

3.3 Education Assistance: Academic Services 

3.4 Education Assistance: Social, Emotional, and 

Mental Health Services 

3.5 Education Assistance: Other 

3.6 Healthy Childhood Environments: Child Care 

3.7 Healthy Childhood Environments: Home Visiting 

3.8 Healthy Childhood Environments: Services to 

Foster Youth or Families Involved in Child 

Welfare System 

3.9. Healthy Childhood Environments: Other 

3.10 Housing Support: Affordable Housing 

3.11 Housing Support: Services for Unhoused 

persons 

3.12 Housing Support: Other Housing Assistance 

3.13 Social Determinants of Health: Other 

3.14 Social Determinants of Health: Community 

Health Workers or Benefits Navigators 

3.15 Social Determinants of Health: Lead 

Remediation

3.16 Social Determinants of Health: Community 

Violence Interventions 

4 Expenditure Category: Premium Pay

4.1 Public Sector Employees $257,780.32

4.2 Private Sector: Grants to other employers 

5 Expenditure Category: Infrastructure

5.1 Clean Water: Centralized wastewater treatment
Westmoreland County 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 10

Category Cumulative 

expenditures to 

date ($)

Amount spent 

since last 

Recovery Plan

5.2 Clean Water: Centralized wastewater collection 

and conveyance

5.3 Clean Water: Decentralized wastewater

5.4 Clean Water: Combined sewer overflows

5.5 Clean Water: Other sewer infrastructure

5.6 Clean Water: Stormwater

5.7 Clean Water: Energy conservation

5.8 Clean Water: Water conservation

5.9 Clean Water: Nonpoint source 

5.10 Drinking water: Treatment

5.11 Drinking water: Transmission & distribution

5.12 Drinking water: Transmission & distribution: 

lead remediation

5.13 Drinking water: Source

5.14 Drinking water: Storage 

5.15 Drinking water: Other water infrastructure

5.16 Broadband: “Last Mile” projects

5.17 Broadband: Other projects $277,647.93

6 Expenditure Category: Revenue Replacement

6.1 Provision of Government Services

7 Administrative and Other

7.1 Administrative Expenses $4,022.18

7.2 Evaluation and data analysis 

7.3 Transfers to Other Units of Government

7.4 Transfers to Nonentitlement Units 

(States and Territories only)

Required Performance Indicators and Programmatic Data 

At this time, Westmoreland County does not have any expenditures in categories that 

require this data, therefore, no data is required to be submitted.

Project Inventory 

Project 1: Cisco Cyber Security Infrastructure 

Funding Amount: $ 277,647.93

Project Expenditure Category: EC5.17 – Broadband: Other projects

Project Overview: Replace various Cisco Infrastructure throughout the county to 

modernize cybersecurity and protect critical infrastructure. We have some equipment 

that has either gone “end-of-support” or will be in the near future, as outlined below. 
Westmoreland County 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 11

Once this happens, the vendor (Cisco) no longer provides security updates for the 

hardware, putting us at a cyber-security risk in continuing to use it.

1. Blades (M5) – These are virtualizable server blades that are used to run any 

server needed for county operations. i.e. file servers, Exchange (email) servers, 

applications servers such as New World, Tyler Tech, etc. The models being 

replaced are B200 M3’s.

2. Access Points – Wireless access points used throughout our various buildings for 

network connectivity. The laptops used from Cares purchases use this 

infrastructure to connect to our network. Current models being replaced are 

Cisco Access points, 3600 series.

3. Firewalls – Replacing the Detectives internal firewall. Keeps Detectives data 

securely separated from the remainder of the county network. Current model 

firewall in use is Cisco ASA5505.

4. 24 & 48 Port Switching (9300) – Edge switches used to connect remote offices to 

our network. Current model is Cisco 3750X.

5. Routers – Voice Router will replace the current one at the Juvenile Facility. This 

allows that location to use our internal phone system. Data Router handles our 

internet connection from the Westmoreland Intermediate Unit. Both are currently 

using a Cisco 2951 router.

6. WebEx Desk – replacing the former EX60 and EX90 video units used extensively 

by the courts system.

7. Room Kit Mini – Replace former MX200 video unit used by the PFA office.

8. 48 Port Switching (9200) – Edge switches used within the primary Courthouse 

location (CH, Annex, Extension) to connect user endpoints (phones, pc’s, 

printers, etc.). Current models are Cisco 3750X’s.

9. Misc Switching – Meraki Switch used at the AP Monessen location to connect 

phones, pc’s, etc. to county network. Cisco 8-port Compact Switch used to 

connect additional IT equipment to our network (printers, laptop, video unit, 

evidence presenter).
Westmoreland County 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 12

Project 2: Purchase of Flex Calling AE with AU Meetings 

Funding Amount: $ 344,880

Project Expenditure Category: EC1.7 Public Health: Capital Investments or Physical 

Plant Changes to Public Facilities that respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency

Project Overview: This purchase is for a 5-year licensing agreement that takes our 

traditional Cisco Unified Connections and bundles everything into a single licensing tier, 

and increases the collaborative functionality by growing the number of users who have 

access to these types of tools. includes enhanced collaboration capabilities for all 

county employees with a computer account, such as voicemail, instant messaging, and 

WebEx teams (collaborative tool that combines IM and creatable workspaces to better 

track projects, team efficiencies, etc.). This licensing also includes an Emergency 

Response feature which ties to 911 and allows a CAD @ 911 to see the exact location 

of a 911 call coming from any county building using our phone system. Right now, they 

just see the call coming from 830-3000, our main switchboard line. 

Project 3: Motorola Portable Radio System 

Funding Amount: $341,921.44

Project Expenditure Category: EC1.4 Public Health: Prevention in Congregate Settings 

(Nursing Homes, Prisons/Jails, Dense Work Sites, Schools, etc.)

Project Overview: A Motorola portable radio system, including 110 APX6000 

portables, was purchased for the Westmoreland County Prison to allow corrections 

officers to communicate while socially distancing and/or being located in the isolation 

unit of the prison where the 24 negative pressure cells are located. These cells limit 

airflow around infected inmates to just the areas they are housed, but precautions must 

be taken to support the prevention and mitigation of the spread of COVID-19 in the 

Prison.

Project 4: Election Workers

Funding Amount: $257,780.32

Project Expenditure Category: EC4.1 Premium Pay: Public Sector Employees

Project Overview: In May 2021, judge of elections and poll workers were required to 

attend training for the primary election as well as be located at their designated precinct. 

The SLFRF define essential work as those in critical infrastructure sectors who regularly 

perform in-person work, interact with others at work, or physically handle items handled 

by others. Since election workers were required to handle ballots handled by others as 

well as perform in-person work and interact with others, the pay they received is 

considered to be essential and therefore eligible under the SLFRF Interim Final Rule.

Project 5: Public Health

Funding Amount: $35,365.86

Project Expenditure Category: EC1: Public Health 

Project Overview: In the public health expenditure category, the county has purchased 

PPE, including gloves and masks, has administered COVID-19 testing, and purchased 

signage for the COVID-19 vaccination clinic held at the county courthouse.