Polk County, Iowa

Recovery Plan 

State and Local Fiscal Recovery 

Funds

July 31, 2021 Report as submitted August 31, 2021

Note: The Recovery Plan Performance Report will provide the public and Treasury information on the 

projects that recipients are undertaking with program funding and how they are planning to ensure 

program outcomes are achieved in an effective, efficient, and equitable manner. While this template

includes the minimum requirements for the Recovery Plan, each recipient is encouraged to add 

information to the plan that they feel is appropriate to provide information to their constituents on efforts 

they are taking to respond to the pandemic and promote an equitable economic recovery. 

Each jurisdiction may determine the general form and content of the Recovery Plan, as long as it 

meets the reporting requirements, and recipients are encouraged to tailor this template to best meet 

their needs. Use of infographics, tables, charts, pictures, case studies, and other explanatory elements 

are encouraged.
Polk County, Iowa 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report (July 31, 2021) 1

Polk County, Iowa

July 31, 2021 Recovery Plan

Table of Contents

General Overview........................................................................................................................ 3

Executive Summary ..................................................................................................................3

Uses of Funds ........................................................................................................................... 3

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

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

Labor Practices ......................................................................................................................... 5

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

Table of Expenses by Expenditure Category ............................................................................6

Project Inventory......................................................................................................................... 8

Example Project ....................................................................................................................... 9

Additional Projects..................................................................................................................... 9
Polk County, Iowa 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report (July 31, 2021) 2

GENERAL OVERVIEW

Executive Summary 

Polk County has utilized ARPA funds to implement several measures to respond to the

COVID-19 pandemic. Plans are underway for additional measures to reduce the rate of 

COVID-19 infections, promote economic recovery, and address the general public needs 

targeted by ARPA. We are planning to ensure program outcomes are achieved in an 

effective, efficient and equitable manner and a process is in place for public input. Polk 

County plans to expend funding in the following categories:

Near future intended uses

Projects are underway to address the immediate impacts of COVID-19 in our community, 

meet public health and safety needs, and initiate efforts around water quality issues. These 

initiatives include:

• Ongoing efforts to maximize vaccination rates among Polk County residents. Upon 

receiving the first round of ARPA funds on May 20th Polk County initiated a series of 

vaccine incentives on June 15th with the goal of reaching a 75% county vaccination 

rate by Labor Day Weekend. On June 15

th the percentage of Polk County residents 

who were vaccinated was 61.2%. On August 30th, the CDC reported the Polk County

vaccination rate was 73%. A key focus of the county’s targeted vaccine outreach has 

been and will continue to be to residents residing in underserved census tracts. See 

Chart 1 below.

• The Polk County Emergency Operations Center is currently utilizing technology that 

is outdated. Bids have been secured to replace and upgrade technology in order to 

continue coordinated response to the pandemic.

• In order to address mental health issues that have resulted from the COVID-19

pandemic, Polk County will be investing in a sobering center that will help triage 

individuals who are struggling with drug and alcohol issues and direct them to longterm recovery services. 

• We will also be investing in training and equipment that will better prepare law 

enforcement for responding to mental health calls. 

• Discussions are underway with local jurisdictions to merge the Public Safety 

Answering Points’ Computer Aided Dispatch systems into a single system that will 

reduce response time for fire and police who are responding across multiple 

jurisdictions. 

• Polk County intends to recoup lost revenue in conformity with U.S. Treasury rules.

• Polk County will be investing in the tourism and hospitality industry by funding select 

operational and capital expenditures. 

• Polk County will be launch a pilot project to guide further investment in a watershed 

protection effort to address regional water quality and safe drinking water supply

concerns.

Long term intended uses

Polk County will undergo a strategic planning process that will include stakeholder 

discussions and public input sessions around four large categories of work that will address 
Polk County, Iowa 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report (July 31, 2021) 3

human services and equity in our community. These four categories include affordable 

housing, mental health, water quality and economic wellbeing. Criteria will be developed 

that seek proposals which go above and beyond current operations and plans. Proposals 

will be sought that address gaps in human services, equity issues and sustainability issues 

and that promote collaboration. Additionally, planning is underway for a third party local 

research to study rent assistance recipients and their long-term needs. This concept would 

include interviews of individuals receiving Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)

funds that are currently being administered through our local Impact Community Action 

Network with the goal of learning more about the circumstances that have led recipients to 

need assistance. This data would be used to make informed and strategic decisions about 

how to invest ARPA funds to impact affordable housing. 

Chart 1

Uses of Funds by Expenditure Category 

a. Public Health (EC 1)

Polk County is committed to a strong and equitable recovery by empowering the Polk 

County Health Department to prioritize the importance of a robust vaccination effort and to 

devote the resources to ensure this message is delivered to residents of Polk County,

especially the hard to reach communities, such as the recently immigrated, the transient 

and the non-electronically connected citizens of Polk County. Tactics that will continue to 

be deployed include vaccination incentive campaigns, targeted marketing, a senior call 

center, and funding health navigators in immigrant and refugee communities to assist in 

vaccination education campaigns. 

b. Negative Economic Impacts (EC 2)

Strategic planning is underway to address negative economic impacts at the household 

level. Current recipients of housing assistance dollars through ERAP will be surveyed to 

identify long-term, systemic issues around housing so housing initiatives funded by ARPA 

can address long-term housing instability and economic opportunities for low-income 
Polk County, Iowa 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report (July 31, 2021) 4

residents. Additionally, Iowa State University Extension is currently conducting a multicounty survey of small businesses and non-profits to assess current needs and gaps. This 

information will be used to inform decision making on future assistance to small businesses 

and non-profits. 

Polk County intends to use ARPA funds to address the negative economic impacts of the 

pandemic on the County-owned Iowa Events Center and associated hotel. Financial 

assistance will be provided to offset revenue losses experienced by this facility and to 

invest in capital improvements, thereby allowing continued operations in a safe and 

sustainable manner.

c. Services to Disproportionately Impacted Communities (EC 3)

When applicable, programs and policies will be informed by relevant census tract data and 

previously gathered economic data to ensure all Polk County residents can participate in a 

strong and equitable recovery. Inclusion, diversity and community wide participation will be 

priorities of all programming.

d. Premium Pay (EC 4)

N/A

e. Water, Sewer, and Broadband Infrastructure (EC 5)

Polk County is participating in several regional projects that are underway to address these 

issues. Many of the political subdivisions in Polk County are making plans to expend ARPA

funds on storm water management. The Central Iowa Water Trails project is an initiative 

that aims to increase access to Iowa’s rivers while using the recreational interest in water to 

generate momentum on critical water quality projects. The Greater Des Moines Partnership 

is currently undertaking a survey on regional broadband access. Polk County is 

participating in the survey process and establishment of desired outcomes to ensure 

access and affordability to disadvantaged families.

Additionally, Polk County will be undertaking an extensive infrastructure project that will 

connect 150 rural residences to a city water main. These homes have been utilizing sandpoint wells that were unsafe and unreliable. During a recent large storm, these homes were 

cut off from a potable water source. Polk County’s financial commitment to this project will 

be $2.5 million.

f. Revenue Replacement (EC 6)

Polk County has completed a comprehensive review of all lost revenue and will continue to 

utilize U.S. Treasury guidance in compiling future projections. The current amount of this

revenue replacement calculation is approximately $24 million.

g. Other Federal Recovery Funds.

Polk County has been a leader in administering Emergency Rental Assistance Program 

(ERAP) funds that were distributed from the CARES Act. Both Polk County and the City of 

Des Moines requested these funds directly from the State of Iowa and administered them 

through IMPACT Community Action Partnership. IMPACT has delivered assistance to 

households more efficiently than the state and was able to provide up to three months rental 
Polk County, Iowa 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report (July 31, 2021) 5

assistance without requiring the renter to first become delinquent on payments. We are 

currently working with the State of Iowa to access an additional $30 million to be 

administered in our community. Additionally, at the beginning of the pandemic Polk County 

committed $800,000 for rental assistance that was administered at the Polk County 

Courthouse by staff from Iowa Legal Aid and the Polk County Housing Trust Fund. Staff 

worked with landlords who were at the Courthouse for eviction proceedings. In almost all 

cases, a direct payment to the landlord was made in lieu of evicting the tenant, and the 

landlord was connected to additional resources to mitigate future eviction efforts. Polk 

County provided additional funds and helped leverage private contributions. These funds 

were not ARPA funds but this narrative has been included in this report as an example of 

how ARPA funds could potentially be expended and to illustrate the collaborative and 

creative nature of our community.

Polk County and IMPACT are currently implementing a non-mandatory study of rental 

assistance recipients to assess ongoing housing needs. 

Promoting Equitable Outcomes 

Polk County will promote equitable outcomes throughout the ARPA process. This will be 

accomplished by conducting open meetings, soliciting input, publicizing the target area of 

concern. We will directly communicate with neighborhood organizations, civic and community 

groups. A 2020 report by One Economy found that African Americans and Africans comprise

7.1% of the total population in Polk County, representing 27% of all African Americans and 

Africans living in the state of Iowa. However, the median household income for an African 

American or African household was $33,816 compared to the $63,530 median household 

income for all of Polk County. On nearly every economic measure examined, including banking, 

housing and employment, racial wealth disparities were evident. Addressing these disparities 

will be a primary focus of Polk County’s use of ARPA funds to address economic well-being and 

utilizing current data to establish benchmarks.

a. Goals - As plans are made for utilization of ARPA funds, Polk County will add additional 

focus on historically underserved, marginalized or adversely affected groups or areas, 

such as the historically “redlined portion of Des Moines.” This includes African Americans, 

immigrants and refugees and the Latinx community. 

b. Awareness - Polk County has a strong group of community, civic, fraternal, service and 

neighborhood organizations that will be utilized in the dissemination of information 

regarding ARPA services. The One Economy report outlines disparities in our community 

and includes a Blueprint for Action that will be used to implement COVID-19 recovery 

strategies equitably. The priority topics in the report include financial inclusion, 

employment, education, health and housing. These priority topics align with several of the 

priority topics identified by the Polk County Board of Supervisors.

c. Access and Distribution - Polk County is committed to an open and transparent process 

that ensures equal access to benefits and services for all residents of Polk County. As 

part of the COVID-19 recovery process Polk County will examine the administrative 
Polk County, Iowa 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report (July 31, 2021) 6

requirements of all of the assistance programs available to the community specifically to 

address disparities that negatively impact disadvantaged and underserved communities.

d. Outcomes - Polk County’s ARPA plan and process is rooted in the belief that closing 

gaps and achieving universal levels of service and eliminating any equity disparities is an 

essential focus of ARPA funding efforts. The Board of Supervisors will host a series of 

workshops with subject matter experts and community members for each identified 

priority area. The goal of these sessions will be to identify areas where ARPA funding can 

be strategically used and establish benchmarks and outcomes. Each priority topic will 

include outcomes related to resolving racial inequity.

e. Equity Strategy by Expenditure Category

Negative Economic Impacts (EC 2): Refer to paragraph above regarding data 

collection and public input. 

Services to Disproportionately Impacted Communities (EC 3): The Polk County 

Health Department has worked extensively with local neighborhood and 

community groups to reach as deeply as possible into disproportionally impacted 

communities. Additionally the Polk County Community, Family and Youth 

Services Department has worked collaboratively with the City of Des Moines to 

coordinate all aspects of rental housing assistance. Local funds have been used 

to create a “health navigator” program that pays leaders of immigrant and 

refugee communities to participate in COVID-19 mitigation training and conduct 

outreach in their respective communities. Additionally, COVID-19 vaccination 

rates are available by zip code and current Polk County data shows that a 

disproportionately lower number of people are vaccinated in underserved 

communities. Vaccination incentive campaigns will be tailored this fall to reach 

these neighborhoods. 

Directing the use of ARPA funds towards establishing affordable housing, 

addressing mental health issues, and promoting economic well-being specifically 

support the goal of providing needed services and opportunities for 

disproportionally impacted communities.

f. Data - With the exception of expending ARPA funds for a few immediate needs as

identified in our Executive Summary – near future intended uses, Polk County is in the 

early stage of establishing a process for public input in our four strategic areas. 

Qualitative and quantitative data will be sought and required for future funded projects to 

ensure equitable outcomes are achieved.

g. Geographic Distribution of Funding - To date the largest amount of ARPA funding has

been directed at incentive programs to increase vaccination rates. These education 

efforts have been targeted to the general population in Polk County. Additional 

investments have been made to fund vaccine promotion through Latinx and African 

American media. Grassroots outreach efforts have also been made to reach immigrant 

and refugee communities. 
Polk County, Iowa 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report (July 31, 2021) 7

Community Engagement 

Polk County has proactively reached out to as many traditionally underserved groups as 

possible through various means including: community meetings, visiting neighborhood 

associations, and implementing a paid and free media strategy. Additionally, funds have been 

expended to hire health navigators from immigrant and refugee populations. They completed a 

training session with the Polk County Health Department and are now paid to host community 

education sessions. 

In the creation of long-term strategic investments, Polk County is committed to expanding our 

outreach efforts to acquire this information and to ensure the public is well informed and has 

multiple avenues to provide this information. These efforts will include public input forums, 

requests for public written comments through regular mail, email and public surveys on the Polk 

County website. Outreach to civic groups, community-based organizations and any other group 

or organization that responds to the county’s request for invitations to make presentations and 

receive public input. Media outreach, both paid and through public service announcements will 

be conducted with a special emphasis to underserved communities to invite input and 

participation in addressing the strategic investment areas for economic recovery and building 

safe communities.

Examples of tactics that have been used successfully to date include paid media on Spanish 

language media outlets, community outreach, paid health navigators and a call center for 

seniors and individuals without internet access. 

Labor Practices 

Polk County strongly believes in paying a fair and living wage to all workers currently and for

any future ARPA projects. Paying the Prevailing wage and complying with Davis Bacon are 

County policy on all federally funded construction and infrastructure projects.

Use of Evidence 

As Polk County begins to create a strategic plan on how to invest ARPA funds, evidence-based 

benchmarks and evaluations will be determined.

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 $230,810 $230,810

1.2 COVID-19 Testing
Polk County, Iowa 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report (July 31, 2021) 8

Category Cumulative

expenditures to 

date ($)

Amount spent 

since last 

Recovery Plan

1.3 COVID-19 Contact Tracing

1.4 Prevention in Congregate Settings (Nursing 

Homes, Prisons/Jails, Dense Work Sites, 

Schools, etc.)

1.5 Personal Protective Equipment

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

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

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 
Polk County, Iowa 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report (July 31, 2021) 9

Category Cumulative

expenditures to 

date ($)

Amount spent 

since last 

Recovery Plan

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

4.2 Private Sector: Grants to other employers 

5 Expenditure Category: Infrastructure

5.1 Clean Water: Centralized wastewater treatment

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
Polk County, Iowa 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report (July 31, 2021) 10

Category Cumulative

expenditures to 

date ($)

Amount spent 

since last 

Recovery Plan

5.14 Drinking water: Storage 

5.15 Drinking water: Other water infrastructure

5.16 Broadband: “Last Mile” projects

5.17 Broadband: Other projects

6 Expenditure Category: Revenue Replacement

6.1 Provision of Government Services

7 Administrative and Other

7.1 Administrative Expenses 

7.2 Evaluation and data analysis 

7.3 Transfers to Other Units of Government

7.4 Transfers to Nonentitlement Units 

(States and Territories only)

PROJECT INVENTORY

Project: COVID-19 Vaccination Incentive Campaign

Funding Amount: $230,810 through July 31, 2021

Project Expenditure Category: 1.1 Public Health COVID-19 Vaccination 

Polk County has initiated a cash and tuition scholarship incentive program to encourage all Polk 

County citizens to become vaccinated. From June 25 to August 27 a weekly drawing was held 

each Friday. Every Friday ten $1,000 winners were randomly selected. In addition, every other 

Friday one $50,000 winner and one $5,000 scholarship winner were randomly selected. The 

vaccination lottery was an opt-in promotion that any Polk County resident who had received one 

J&J vaccination or both of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccinations was eligible for.

Other promotions include:

• In the weeks leading up to the Iowa State Fair, Polk County provided two free state fair 

tickets and hosted state fair food trucks at the Polk County Health Department. Several 

radio stations participated in live remotes during these events. They successfully saw up 

to 215 new vaccinations per day.

• In order to encourage more community conversations about the importance of 

vaccination, Polk County sponsored a non-profit challenge in which a non-profit would 

receive $50 per individual vaccinated at the Polk County Health Department on their 

behalf during the campaign. Youth organizations who work with youth 12 years of age 

and up were eligible for $100 for each newly vaccinated youth. The goal of these 

campaigns was to serve as a conversation starter among trusted community leaders. 

The promotion will end on September 3. 

List of weekly winners - https://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/health-department/2019-novelcoronavirus-covid-19/covid-19-vaccine-lottery-winners/

Commented [A1]: I presume the money spent on 

vaccinations is all we are reporting here because that is our 

only ARPA funds expenditures through July 31st?
Polk County, Iowa 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report (July 31, 2021) 11

Performance Report on Project Inventory

Since the beginning of the incentive program Polk County has administered 5,000 (est) 

additional vaccination shots.

Commented [A2]: We could drop the % vaccinated data I 

added to the Short Term Goals section here.