West Virginia Code of State Rules › Agency 61 - Agriculture › Title 61 - LEGISLATIVE RULE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Series 61-24 - West Virginia Spay Neuter Assistance Program › Section 61-24-6 - Awarding grants by the commissioner

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 28, July 12, 2024
6.1. The Commissioner may establish an
				advisory committee of animal welfare advocates. The Advisory Committee shall
				conduct a preliminary review of grant applications, and make recommendations to
				the Commissioner for grants based on animal welfare best practices, volume of
				spay neuter services contemplated to be provided, and the efficiency of spay
				neuter service delivery. The Advisory Committee shall give preference to
				applicants that intend to operate a low-income restricted program. The Advisory
				Committee shall make recommendations for action, if necessary, on interim and
				post-grant reports by grantees on the use of grant funds. The committee shall
				abide by standard 'conflict of interest' policies.
6.2. The Commissioner shall review grant
				applications and the recommendations of the advisory committee to approve,
				reject or modify the amount requested within 90 days of receipt of an
				application. The Commission shall give preference to applicants that intend to
				operate a low-income restricted program. The Commissioner shall notify the
				applicant of the final disposition of their application within 30 days of the
				Commissioner's decision.
6.3. The
				Commissioner shall enter into a grant contract with the grantee which shall
				include the terms, conditions and requirements of the grant.
6.4. The grantee shall disburse funds within
				the grant term determined by the Commissioner and stated in the grant contract.
				Thereafter, the Commissioner may extend a grant term; otherwise the grant and
				any undisbursed grant amounts expire and all unused monies shall be returned to
				the Fund. A grantee may apply for a subsequent or concurrent grant.
6.5. The Commissioner may amend a current
				grant to a higher or lower amount at any point during the grant term following
				the initial approval.
6.6. A
				grantee shall notify the Commissioner of any subsequent change in its 501(c)(3)
				status that would disqualify it from participation in the spay neuter
				assistance program or otherwise negatively affect its ability to participate. A
				grantee shall execute the program as designated in the grant contract unless
				changes are approved in writing by the Commissioner.
6.7. The Commissioner may revoke a grant and
				deny further participation by a grantee in the spay neuter program, if it is
				determined that the grantee has failed to comply with the requirements of the
				program and this rule.
6.8. The
				Commissioner shall maintain and make available to the public, a current list of
				grantees and their contact information.
6.9. A grantee shall comply with the
				provisions of W. Va. Code § 12-4-14, and legislative rules promulgated
				regarding accountability of persons receiving state funds or grants.
6.10. A grantee may not impose any
				administrative, processing or other extraneous fee or charge upon an owner or
				caretaker. A grantee shall not charge a fee incident to adoption to cover spay
				neuter services paid for under the spay neuter assistance program. If such a
				fee is charged, the spay neuter services are not eligible for
				reimbursement.
6.11. A grantee
				shall maintain proper financial records on the use of grant monies.
6.12. Upon completion of a grant, a grantee
				shall file, with the Commissioner, a report on the outcomes of the grant in
				fulfillment of its terms, conditions and requirements. For grants with a term
				of 12 months or longer, the grantee shall also file with the Commissioner an
				interim report within six (6) months of receiving the grant.