Current through Rules and Regulations filed through March 20, 2024
(1) All applications received from applicants
will be reviewed to determine the merits of the applications and the proposed
use of funds. The One Georgia Authority and/or DCA will rate and review all
applications that meet the Threshold Requirements outlined in Section
413-04-.07(2). Applications will be rated according to a point system with the
maximum number of points available to an application is set at 400 points. In
order to be fundable, an application must receive a minimum score of 275
points. The rating criteria are outlined below.
(2) Threshold Requirements (Application must
generally meet all requirements in order to be rated.):
(a) The application is from eligible
applicants;
(b) The project takes
place within two or more counties, at least one of which does not currently
have 9-1-1 emergency telephone service;
(c) The proposed E-9-1-1 facility would be:
a) jointly owned by two or more counties;
b) owned by an authority that
contains at least two counties; or
c) involve an intergovernmental service
agreement between multiple jurisdictions that include two or more
counties.
(d) The
proposed project evidences a revenue- and cost-sharing agreement between
multiple jurisdictions that include two or more counties;
(e) Applications must include a Cooperating
Agreement entered into by the cooperating units of government. This agreement
should designate the unit of local government or authority that will serve as
lead applicant. (A sample cooperating agreement is included in this Application
Packet.)
(f) The proposed use of
funds are for eligible activities and will be carried out in a manner
consistent with the state constitution, state law and in accordance with the
applicants' (or sub-recipients') enabling legislation and authority;
and
(g)
(Reserved.)
(3) Tier
Status (60 Points Possible). Applications will be awarded points based upon the
Tier Designation of the "lowest" County (pursuant to O.C.G.A.
48-7-40)
participating in a particular intergovernmental agreement or project. Greatest
consideration will be given to tiers of greater need. Points will be allocated
as follows: Tier 4 and/ or 3 - 20.0 points; Tier 2 - 40.0 points; and Tier 1 -
60.0 points. In order to participate in a project, Tier 4 and 3 counties must
meet the criteria for regional projects in 413-04-.07(2). Applications will be
awarded points based upon the Tier Status of the lowest Tier county in a
qualified application per section 413-04-.07(2) of these regulations.
(4) Project Feasibility (120 Points
Possible). Applications will be awarded "feasibility" points according to the
following scale: poor - 0.0 points; below average - 30.0 points; average - 60.0
points; good - 90.0 points; excellent - 120 points. The criteria detailed below
(413- 10-.07 (4) A-K) will determine where on the "Feasibility" Scale an
application ranks:
(a) The description of the
proposed project and activities are clearly described and documented;
(b) The project demonstrates financial and
economic viability for initial capital costs and ongoing operations through the
economies of scale available in a multi-county project.
(c) Each participating government has
demonstrated favorable public support for the proposed project through public
hearings, referendums, or other means;
(d) The responsibilities for carrying out
each activity are clearly ascribed to a participating entity and each entity
has firmly committed in writing to carry out its part;
(e) Project readiness concerns are addressed
(as applicable):
i) engineering/
architectural/environmental,
ii)
infrastructure/utility/network access issues, including submission by each
applicant of supporting documentation from local phone company(ies) that they
are currently or will be capable of providing E-9-1-1 service within the
proposed project timeline;
iii) the
development of an address and street-name database with geographic locations
for each address coordinated with the private carrier;
iv) commitments to fund ongoing
operations/maintenance, etc.;
v)
other public and private sector investors are committed and ready to
invest,
vi) all needed real
property is acquired or under option,
vii) any needed regulatory approvals obtained
(GEMA approval of plans, government permits, etc.),
viii) administrative capacity is adequate,
and
ix) (soft projects)
professional service providers have adequate credentials and work history,
etc.
(f) Provisions are
in place for joint ownership and revenue- or cost-sharing and/or a draft or
executed contract for services between two or more counties is in
place;
(g) Each participating local
political jurisdiction has endorsed the project in writing and has pledged the
required revenues to maintain the project;
(h) Each participating "private carrier" has
endorsed the project and pledged its cooperation;
(i) Underwriting analysis (as applicable) is
adequate;
(j) Project costs are
verified through original source documents, architectural and engineering
reports, or certified appraisals; and
(k) Applicant certifies that project complies
(or will comply) with all applicable federal, state, and local law and
regulations.
(5) Project
Impact (110 Points Possible). Applications will be awarded "Impact" points
according to the following scale: poor - 0.0 points; below average - 27.5
points; average - 55.0 points; good - 82.5 points; excellent - 110.0 points. In
order to determine where on the "impact" scale a project ranks, the following
criteria will be analyzed:
(a) The amount of
total state assistance per person served;
(b) Amount of private leverage per person
served;
(c) The amount of public
leverage per person served;
(d)
Cost savings (per capita) of regional system as compared to a single-government
system;
(e) Improved regional
competitiveness;
(f) Impact on
regional emergency response efficiencies for various public safety
departments;
(g) Budget savings for
each county involved in the regional system; and
(h) The removal of impediments to regional
cooperation.
(6) Program
Strategy (110 Points Possible). Applications will be awarded "Strategy" points
according to the following scale: poor - 0.0 points; below average - 27.5
points; average - 55.0 points; good - 82.5 points; excellent - 110.0 points. In
order to determine where on the "strategy" scale a project ranks the following
criteria will be analyzed:
(a) The project
represents an innovative approach to the provision of public safety and E-9-1-1
services in rural Georgia, for example through the establishment of centralized
dispatching for the public safety entities served by the E-9-1-1
system;
(b) The proposed strategy
complies with the standards set forth in GEMA's "9-1-1 Emergency Telephone
Number Plan";
(c) The proposed
project will result in the enhancement of the public safety workforce through
job training, skill upgrades, education, etc.;
(d) The proposed project will likely lead to
indirect local and regional impact by:
i)
attracting development/investment;
ii) supporting/ enhancing local or regional
development strategies and priorities; and
iii)
supporting/enhancing local or regional institutions and quality of
life.
(e) Financial and
programmatic alternatives have been considered for the proposed project and
eliminated;
(f) The proposed
project supports the overall objectives of the State, DCA, GEMA and the
OneGeorgia Authority and supports the State's development strategy for rural
development and regional cooperation; and
(g) For non-construction portions of a
project, no similar studies, plans or documents have been produced in the last
five years, and if they have, they have been used to the extent possible and/or
are in need of updating or expanding.
(7) The criteria in this rule (413-04-.07)
are designed to assist DCA in making a decision and only constitute minimum
standards. Additional factors may be considered depending on the nature of a
particular project and its relative merit compared to competing proposals and
the availability of funding at the time of application. The decision made by
the OneGeorgia Authority shall be final and conclusive.
O.C.G.A. Sec.
50-34-1et
seq.
