[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 62 (Tuesday, April 1, 1997)] [Notices] [Pages 15482-15516] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-8202] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY The National Board Fiscal Year 1997 Plan for Carrying Out the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This notice sets out the plan by which the Emergency Food and Shelter Program National Board (National Board) is conducting a program during FY 1997 to distribute $100,000,000 to private voluntary organizations and local governments for delivering emergency food and shelter to needy individuals. The distribution formula for selecting organizations and localities, and the award amount for each, follow the Plan text. DATES: The award to the National Board was made October 3, 1996. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carol Coleman, Preparedness, Training and Exercise Directorate, Federal Emergency Management Agency, (202) 646-3107, or Kay C. Goss, Chair, EFSP National Board, (202) 646-3487. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title III of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 11301 et seq., authorizes use of funds appropriated by the Congress to supplement and expand ongoing efforts to provide shelter, food, and supportive services to homeless, needy individuals. As in past phases, grant awards from this program are provided to address emergency needs. This program is not intended to address or correct structural poverty or long-standing problems. Rather, this appropriation is intended for the purchase of food and shelter to supplement and expand current available resources and not to substitute or reimburse ongoing programs and services. This funding should be used to target special emergency needs. And when we discuss emergency needs we are referring to economic, not disaster-related, emergencies. The funding should supplement feeding and sheltering efforts in ways that make a difference. What that means is: EFSP is not intended to make up for budget shortfalls or to be considered just a line in an annual budget; it is not intended that the funds must go to the same agencies for the exact same purposes every year; and, the funding is open to all organizations helping hungry and homeless people and it is not intended that the funds should go only to Local Board member agencies or local government agencies. [[Page 15483]] Having stated what it is not, what does the National Board want this program to be? As we read the law, EFSP should: create inclusive local coalitions that meet regularly to determine the best use of funds and to monitor their use in their respective communities; treat every program year as a fresh opportunity to reassess what particular community needs (e.g., on-site feeding or utility assistance, mass shelter or homelessness prevention, etc.) should be addressed; encourage agencies to work together to emphasize their respective strengths, work out common problems, and prevent duplication of effort; and, examine whether the program is helping to meet the needs of special populations such as minorities, Native Americans, veterans, families with children, the elderly, and the handicapped. It is our intention to re-emphasize that this program has a commitment to emergency services. We continue to view it as an opportunity for building a cohesive emergency structure which can, for example, coordinate the assistance provided, across agencies, to families and individuals applying for rental, mortgage, or utility assistance; enhance a food banking network that is economical in its cost and broad in its coverage; reinforce creative cooperation among feeding and sheltering sites to ensure help for street populations most in need; and, establish or maintain a system that complements rather than supplants existing private and governmental efforts to provide rent, mortgage, or utility assistance. The National Board is aware that much is asked of our voluntary Local Boards and LROs, and very little administrative funding is provided. But the cooperative model that EFSP has helped to create can be a useful vehicle for many governmental and community-based programs. As a group, local providers can accomplish much: initiating a dialogue with local offices of Federal entities such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture to take full advantage of excess commodities and its other programs or with the U.S. Department of Labor's Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA); working with Federal programs that require the input of local providers such as the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Community Development Block Grant or Emergency Shelter Grant and the Department of Health and Human Services' Health Care for the Homeless; pooling agency efforts to gain Federal (for example, HUD's Transitional Housing Program) and private foundation grants; leveraging EFSP funds within the community by encouraging matches of local EFSP allocations from State and local governments and private resources; and, exchanging ideas on administrative and accounting methods that can improve delivery of services and focus on the collaborative rather than the competitive aspects of agency relations. Fourteen years ago this program began as a one-time effort to help address urgent needs. The survival of this public-private partnership is not only a testament to needs, but also to the effectiveness of EFSP as an example of local decision-making and community responsibility in attempting to meet those needs. EFSP is a reminder of this nation's willingness to confront difficult problems within the society in new ways. But most importantly, EFSP has fed and sheltered homeless and hungry people, it has maintained homes and the families in those homes, and it has created useful public-private partnerships within communities. Table of Contents 1.0 Background and Introduction 1.1 Purpose 2.0 FEMA's Role and Responsibilities 3.0 National Board's Role and Responsibilities 3.1 Client eligibility 4.0 State Set-Aside Committee's Role and Responsibilities 5.0 Local Boards' Role and Responsibilities 5.1 Variances and Waivers 6.0 Local Recipient Organizations' Role and Responsibilities 6.1 Independent Annual Audit Requirements 6.2 Fiscal Agents/Conduit Relationship 6.3 Financial Terms and Conditions 6.4 Grant Payment Process 6.5 Eligibility of Costs 6.6 Required Documentation 7.0 Local Appeals Process 8.0 Allocations Formula 9.0 Amendments to Plan 1.0 Background and Introduction The Emergency Food and Shelter Program was established on March 24, 1983, with the signing of the ``Jobs Stimulus Bill,'' Public Law 98-8. That legislation created a National Board, chaired by FEMA, which consisted of representatives of the American Red Cross; Catholic Charities, USA; the Salvation Army; Council of Jewish Federations, Inc.; United Way of America; and the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Since that first piece of legislation in 1983, through its authorization under the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act (Pub.L. 100-77--signed into law on July 24, 1987, subsequently reauthorized under Pub.L. 100-628, signed into law on November 7, 1988), the Emergency Food and Shelter Program has distributed $1.5 billion to over 11,000 social service agencies in more than 2,500 communities across the country. From its inception, the unique features of this program have been the partnerships it has established. At the national level, the Federal government and board member organizations have the legal responsibility to work together to set allocations criteria and establish program guidelines. Such coalitions, as set forth in the law, are even more vital on the local level. In each community Local Boards make the most significant decisions on their own make-up and operation, the types of services most in need of supplemental help, what organizations should be funded and for what purpose and amount. These portions of the law have remained unchanged and are the core of this unique public-private partnership. 1.1 Purpose This publication is developed by the National Board to outline the roles, responsibilities, and implementation procedures which shall be followed by the National Board, FEMA Local Boards, LROs, SSA Committees, in the distribution and use of these funds. National in scope, EFSP will provide food and shelter assistance to individuals in need through local private voluntary organizations and local governments in areas designated by the National Board as being in highest need. The intent of EFSP is to meet emergency needs by supplementing and expanding food and shelter assistance individuals might currently be receiving, as well as to help those who are receiving no assistance. Individuals who received assistance under previous programs may again be recipients, providing they meet local eligibility requirements. 2.0 FEMA's Role and Responsibilities (a) FEMA will perform the following EFSP activities: (1) Constitute a National Board consisting of individuals affiliated with United Way of America; the Salvation Army; the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA; Catholic Charities, USA; the Council of Jewish Federations, Inc.; the American Red Cross; and FEMA. (2) Chair the National Board, using parliamentary procedures and consensus by the National Board as the mode of operation. (3) Provide policy guidance, management oversight, Federal [[Page 15484]] coordination, and staff assistance to the National Board. (4) Award the grant to the National Board. (5) Assist the Secretariat in implementing the National Board Program. (6) Report to Congress on the year's program activities through the Interagency Council on the Homeless Annual Report. (7) Conduct audits of the program. (8) Initiate Federal collection procedures to collect funds or documentation due when the efforts of the National Board have not been successful. 3.0 National Board's Role and Responsibilities (a) The National Board will perform the following EFSP activities: (1) Select jurisdictions of highest need for food and shelter assistance and determine amount to be distributed to each. (2) Notify national organizations interested in emergency food and shelter to publicize the availability of funds. (3) Develop the operational manual for distributing funds and establish criteria for expenditure of funds. (4) In jurisdictions that received previous awards, notify the former Local Board chair that new funds are available. In areas newly selected for funding, notify the local United Way, American Red Cross, Salvation Army, or local government official. The National Board will notify qualifying jurisdictions of award eligibility within 60 days following allocation by FEMA. (5) Provide copies of award notification materials to National Board member affiliates and other interested parties. (6) Secure board plan, certification forms and board rosters from Local Boards. Ensure Local Board compliance with established guidelines. (7) Distribute funds to selected LROs. (8) Hear appeals and grant waivers. (9) Establish an equitable system to accomplish the reallocation of unclaimed or unused funds. Unused or recaptured funds will be reallocated by the National Board, except in the case of State Set- Aside counties whose funds may be reallocated by the respective State Set-Aside Committees. (10) Ensure that funds are properly accounted for, and that funds due are collected. (11) Provide consultation and technical assistance to local jurisdictions as necessary to monitor program compliance. (12) Compile the reports it receives from the Local Boards and submit a detailed accounting of use of all program monies in the form of a report to FEMA. (13) Conduct a compliance review of food and shelter expenditures made under this program for specified LROs. The National Board, FEMA, the independent accounting firm selected by the National Board, or the Inspector General's office may also conduct an audit of these funds. (14) Monitor LRO compliance with OMB Circular A-133. The United Way of America will act as the National Board's Secretariat and fiscal agent and perform necessary administrative duties for the Board. An administrative allowance of one percent of the total award may be used for National Board administration. 3.1 Client Eligibility The National Board does not set client eligibility criteria. Local Boards may choose to set such criteria. If the Local Board does not set eligibility criteria, the LRO may use its existing criteria or set criteria for assistance under this award. However, the LROs criteria must provide for assistance to needy individuals without discrimination (age, race, sex, religion, national origin, or handicap). Funds allocated to a jurisdiction are intended for use within that jurisdiction. Residents of or transients in a specific jurisdiction should seek service within that jurisdiction. Citizenship is not an eligibility requirement to receive assistance from EFSP. The National Board does not mandate nor recommend the use of any particular existing criteria (i.e., food stamp guidelines, welfare guidelines, or income guidelines). 4.0 State Set-Aside (SSA) Committee Role and Responsibilities (a) SSA Committee's role. (1) The SSA process has been adopted to allow greater flexibility in selection of jurisdictions and is intended to target pockets of homelessness or poverty in non-qualifying jurisdictions (refer to Supplementary Information, above, on qualifying criteria), areas experiencing drastic economic changes such as plant closings, areas with high levels of unemployment or poverty which do not meet the minimum level of unemployment, or jurisdictions that have documented measures of need which are not adequately reflected in unemployment and poverty data. (2) The distribution of funds to SSA Committees will be based on a ratio calculated as follows: the State's average number of unemployed in non-funded jurisdictions divided by the average number of unemployed in non-funded jurisdictions nationwide equals the State's percentage of the total amount available for SSA awards. (b) SSA responsibilities. (1) A SSA Committee in each State will recommend high-need jurisdictions and award amounts to the National Board. Priority consideration is to be given to jurisdictions otherwise not meeting criteria for funding, although funded jurisdictions may receive additional funding. SSA Committees should also consider the special circumstances of jurisdictions that qualified in previous funding phases but are not eligible in the current phase. The State Committees may wish to provide these jurisdictions with an allocation so that the abrupt change in funding status is not disruptive to local providers. SSA Committees are encouraged to consider current and significant State or local data in their deliberations. Although the National Board staff provides national data to the SSA Committees, it does not mandate any particular formula. These committees are free to act independently in choosing eligible jurisdictions. In each State, the chair of the previous phase's SSA Committee will be notified of the award amount available to the SSA Committee. In a State where there are affiliates of the voluntary organizations represented on the National Board, they must be invited to serve on the State Committee. If no single State affiliate exists, an appropriate representative should be invited. The Governor or his/her representative will replace the FEMA member. State Committees are encouraged to expand participation by inviting or notifying other private non-profit organizations on the State level. The National Board encourages the inclusion of Native Americans, minorities, and other appropriate representatives on the State Committee. (2) Members of the SSA Committee shall elect a person to chair the committee. (3) The SSA Committees are responsible for the following: (i) recommending high-need jurisdictions and award amounts within the State. When selecting jurisdictions with demonstrated need, the National Board encourages the consideration of counties incorporating or adjoining Indian reservations. The SSA Committee has 25 working days to notify the National Board in writing of its selections and the appropriate contact person for each area. Note: The minimum award amount for a single jurisdiction is $1,000 and only whole-dollar amounts can be allocated. [[Page 15485]] (ii) Notifying the National Board of selection criteria that were used to determine which jurisdictions within the State were selected to receive funds. The National Board will then notify these jurisdictions directly. In the event funds are not claimed by the SSA jurisdictions, SSA Committees may recommend other jurisdictions to receive the unclaimed funds. (4) An administrative allowance of one-half of one percent (5) of the total SSA award to each State may be used for SSA administration. 5.0 Local Boards' Role and Responsibilities (a) Local Boards' Role and Responsibilities. (1) Each area designated by the National Board to receive funds shall constitute a Local Board. In a local community where there are affiliates of the United Way of America; The Salvation Army; the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.; Catholic Charities, U.S.A; Council of Jewish Federations; and the American Red Cross; which are represented on the National Board, they must be invited to serve on the Local Board. An agency's own governing board may not serve as a Local Board. The National Board mandates that if a jurisdiction is located within or encompasses a federally recognized Indian reservation, a Native American representative must be invited to serve on the Local Board. All Local Boards are required to include in their membership a homeless or formerly homeless person. Local Boards should seek recommendations from LROs for an appropriate representative. Local Boards that are unable to have homeless or formerly homeless representation must still consult with homeless or formerly homeless individuals, or former or current clients of food or housing services for their input. The County Executive/Mayor, appropriate head of local government or his or her designee will replace the FEMA member. Local Boards are encouraged to expand participation and membership by inviting or notifying minority populations, other private non-profit organizations and government organizations; the jurisdiction should be geographically represented as well. (2) The members of each Local Board will elect a chair. (3) Local Board membership is not honorary; there are specific duties the board must perform. If a member cannot regularly attend meetings, the member should be replaced by another representative of the member's designated agency. If a member must be absent from a meeting, the member's organization may designate an alternate. (4) If a locality has not previously received funding and is now designated as being in high need, the National Board has designated the local United Way to constitute and convene a Local Board as described above. If there is no local United Way, or it does not convene the board, the local American Red Cross, the local Salvation Army, or a local government official will be responsible for convening the initial meeting of the Local Board. (5) If a locality has previously received National Board funding, the former chairman of the Local Board will be contacted regarding any new funding the locality is designated to receive. (6) Each award phase is new; therefore, the Local Board is a new entity in every phase. The convener of the Local Board must ask each agency to designate or redesignate a representative every program year. (7) The National Board requires Local Boards to select one of the following options for meetings: (i) Quarterly Meetings: Local Boards are encouraged to meet quarterly to ensure LROs are implementing the program according to guidelines. Meetings may be conducted via conference calls. (ii) Semiannual Meetings: Local Boards meeting twice a year must also ensure that LROs are implementing the program according to guidelines. Ongoing monitoring activities must take place. Local Boards electing to hold meetings semiannually will be required to submit copies of their meeting minutes with the jurisdiction's final report. (8) A majority of members must be present for the meeting to be official. Attendance and decision-making minutes must be kept. Meeting minutes must be approved by the Local Board at the next meeting. They must also be available to the National Board, Federal authorities, and the public on request. (9) The Local Board will have 25 working days after the notification of the award selection by the National Board in which to advertise and promote the program to give any organization capable of providing emergency services an opportunity to apply for funds. Advertising must take place prior to the Local Board's allocation of funds. Failure to advertise properly will delay processing of the jurisdiction's board plan and subsequent payment of funds. Local Boards should allow at least one week for interested organizations to apply for funding. (Local Boards are not required to re-advertise fund availability for supplemental allocations within the same spending period. (10) The Local Board recommends which local organizations should receive grants and the amounts of the grants. Local Boards must have a written application process and consider all private voluntary and public organization applicants. In selecting LROs to receive funds, the Local Board must consider the demonstrated ability of an organization to provide food and/or shelter assistance. Local Board members should strive to use consistent criteria, sound judgment and fairness in their approach. Local Board membership must have no relationship to funding. Local Board members must abstain from voting on their own grant awards. LROs should be selected to receive funds to supplement and extend eligible on-going services, not be funded in anticipation of a needed service (i.e., fire victims, floods, tornadoes, etc.); neither should agencies be selected for funding due to budget shortfalls nor for cuts in other funding sources. LROs that received awards from previous legislation may again be eligible provided that the LRO still meets eligibility requirements. Agencies on Indian reservations are eligible to receive EFSP monies, if they meet LRO requirements. The minimum grant per LRO is $300 and only whole-dollar amounts may be allocated. The Local Board should be prepared to justify an allocation of one-third (1/3) or more of its total award to a single LRO. (11) Local Boards are responsible for monitoring LROs that receive over $100,000 in Federal funds and ensuring that they comply with OMB Circular A-133. (12) Local Boards must complete and return all required forms to the National Board. (Local Board Plan, Local Board Certification Form, and Local Board Roster). (13) Local Boards shall secure and retain signed forms from each LRO certifying that program guidelines have been read and understood, and that the LROs will comply with cost eligibility and reporting requirements. (14) Local Boards must establish a system to ensure that no duplication of service occurs within the expenditure categories of rent, mortgage or utility assistance (RMU). Local Boards are free to establish any system as long as no duplication of rent/mortgage or utility assistance can take place under reasonable circumstances. (15) Establish client eligibility, at Local Board's discretion. Local Boards may determine client eligibility for EFSP or utilize established LRO [[Page 15486]] eligibility. A separate needs test for assistance under EFSP may be developed and used by LROs, but should first be approved by the Local Board. The Local Board should communicate eligibility criteria for assistance under EFSP to LROs. (16) Local Boards must notify the National Board of changes in the Local Board chair, staff contact, or LRO contacts, including complete addresses and phone numbers. (17) Local Boards that determine they can better utilize their resources by merging with neighboring boards may do so. The head of government or his or her designee for each jurisdiction must sit on the merged board, along with agency representatives from each jurisdiction. The merged Local Board must ensure that the award amount designated for each civil jurisdiction is used to provide assistance to individuals within that jurisdiction. (18) Local Boards are required to be familiar with current guidelines and to provide technical assistance to service providers. Advice and counsel can be provided by National Board staff. (19) An appeals process must be established to address participation or funding, to hear and resolve appeals made by funded or non-funded organizations, and to investigate complaints made by individuals or organizations. Appeals should be handled promptly. Cases that cannot be handled locally should be referred in writing to the National Board and include details on action that has been taken. Only when there is significant question of misapplication of guidelines, fraud, or other abuse on the part of the Local Board will the National Board consider action. Cases involving fraud or other misuse of Federal funds should be reported to the Office of the Inspector General, FEMA, in writing or by telephone at 1-800-323-8603. (20) The chair of the Local Board or his or her designated staff will be the central coordination point of contact between the National Board and the LRO selected to receive assistance from EFSP. (21) If requested by the National Board, the Local Board should nominate an appropriate feeding organization to receive surplus food from Department of Defense commissaries. (22) Boards will be responsible for monitoring programs carried out by the LROs they have selected to receive funds. Local Boards should work with LROs to ensure that funds are being used to meet immediate food and shelter needs on an ongoing basis. Local Boards may not alter or change National Board cost eligibility or approve expenditures outside the National Board's criteria without National Board permission. An interim report of expenditures is due to the National Board with each LRO's second check request. A final report (accompanied by financial documentation for specified LROs) is due 45 days after the end of each jurisdiction's program. The National Board will provide forms for all required reports. Local Boards may request other reports from their LROs at an appropriate time (e.g., monthly or quarterly updates). (23) The Local Board should reallocate funds whenever it determines that the original allocation plan does not reflect the actual need for services or if an LRO is unable to use its full award effectively. Funds must be recovered and may be reallocated if an LRO makes ineligible expenditures or uses funds for items that have clearly not been approved by the Local Board. Funds held in escrow for LROs which have unresolved compliance problems can be reallocated or may be reclaimed by the National Board. The deadline to reallocate any funds held in escrow is July 31, 1997. The Local Board may approve reallocation of funds between LROs that are already participating in the program. However, the National Board must be notified in writing. The Local Board may also return funds to the National Board for reissuance to another LRO or request reallocation of remaining funds before they are released by the National Board (e.g., second/third payments). If the Local Board wishes to reallocate funds to an agency that was not approved on the original board plan, a written request for approval must be made to the National Board. An LRO must be approved by the National Board prior to receipt of funds. Local Boards can reallocate funds from one service to another (e.g., from food to shelter) without National Board approval if the transfer is within an individual LRO. If a Local Board is unable to satisfy the National Board that it can utilize funds in accordance with this plan, the National Board may reallocate the funds to other jurisdictions. (24) Should anyone have reason to suspect that EFSP funds are being used for purposes contrary to the law and guidelines governing the program, the National Board recommends taking action to assist in bringing such practices to a halt. The National Board requires that the Office of the Inspector General, FEMA, be contacted immediately when fraud, theft, or other criminal activity is suspected in connection with the use of EFSP funds, or the operation of a facility receiving EFSP funds. This notification can be made by calling the Inspector General's Hotline at 1-800-323-8603, or in writing to: Office of the Inspector General, FEMA, 500 C Street S.W., Washington, DC 20472. The complainant should include as much information as possible to support the allegation and preferably furnish his/her name and telephone number so that the special agent assigned to that office may make a follow-up contact. The confidentiality of any communication made with the Office of Inspector General is protected by Federal law. A complainant desiring to remain totally anonymous should make a follow-up phone call to the Office of the Inspector General within 30 days from the date of the original complaint so that any follow-up questions may be asked. Follow-up calls should be made to 1-202-646- 3894 during normal business hours, Eastern Standard Time (charges may be reversed). The caller should advise that he/she is making a follow- up call regarding a prior anonymous complaint. The Office of the Inspector General, FEMA, will appropriately notify both local law enforcement authorities and the National Board concerning the substance of the allegations and the results of the investigation. (25) Reports to the National Board on LROs' expenditures shall be submitted as of the date each LROs second/third check is requested and a final report should be submitted within 45 days after the jurisdiction's end-of-program date. (26) After the close of the program, the accuracy of all LROs' reports and documentation shall be reviewed. Documentation for specified LROs should be forwarded to the National Board as requested. In the event expenditures violate the eligible costs under this award, the Local Board must require reimbursement to the National Board. Local Boards are required to remain in operation until all program and compliance requirements of the National Board have been satisfied. All records related to the program must be retained for three (3) years from the end-of-program date. (27) Each jurisdiction will be granted the option to extend its spending period by 30, 60, or 90 days. This option will be offered during the summer of each phase. The extension applies to the entire jurisdiction. Should the jurisdiction receive a grant in the next phase, that phase's spending period will begin the day after the chosen end-date. [[Page 15487]] 5.1 Variances and Waivers (a) Variances. Local Boards may receive requests for variances in the budgets they have approved for LROs. Local Boards may allow such changes provided that the requested items are eligible under this program. If there is any doubt on the part of the Local Board as to eligibility, it should contact the National Board for clarification. If an expenditure requested by an LRO falls outside the program guidelines, the Local Board, if in accord, should request in writing a waiver from the National Board in advance of the expenditure. (b) Waivers. Waivers requested because of a compliance exception must be submitted to the Local and then National Board for review. National Board staff will evaluate waiver requests and use discretion to approve or deny requests. In general, the National Board considers waiver requests that are not within the guidelines, but address the program's intent. The waiver request from the Local Board should clearly state the need for this exception, approximate costs, timelines or any other pertinent information it deems necessary for the National Board to make their decision. 6.0 Local Recipient Organizations' Roles and Responsibilities (a) Local Recipient Organizations' roles and responsibilities. (1) In selecting LROs to receive funds, the Local Board must consider the demonstrated ability of an organization to provide food and shelter assistance. LROs should be selected to receive funds to supplement and extend eligible ongoing services, not to be funded in anticipation of a needed service (i.e., fire, flood, or tornado victims); neither should agencies be selected for funding due to budget shortfalls nor for cuts in other funding sources. Local participation in the program is not limited to organizations that are part of any State or national organization. Agencies on Indian reservations are eligible to receive EFSP funds if they meet LRO requirements as set forth in the program manual. Organizations that received awards from previous legislation may again be eligible provided that the organization still meets eligibility requirements. (2) For a local organization to be eligible for funding it must: (i) Be nonprofit or an agency of government; (ii) Have an accounting system or an approved fiscal agent; (iii) Have a Federal employer identification number (FEIN), or be in the process of securing FEIN (Note: contact local IRS office for more information on securing FEIN and the necessary form [SS-4]; (iv) Conduct an independent annual audit if receiving $25,000 or more from EFSP; (v) Practice nondiscrimination (those agencies with a religious affiliation wishing to participate in the program must agree not to refuse services to an applicant based on religion or require attendance at religious services as a condition of assistance, nor will such groups engage in any religious proselytizing in any program receiving EFSP funds); and, (vi) For private voluntary organizations, have a voluntary board. Each LRO will be responsible for certifying in writing to the Local Board that it has read and agrees to abide by the cost eligibility and reporting standards of this publication and any other requirements made by the Local Board. An LRO may not operate as a vendor for itself or other LROs except for the shared maintenance fee for food banks. (3) LROs selected for funding must: (i) Maintain records according to the guidelines set forth in the manual. Consult the Local Board chair/staff on matters requiring interpretation or clarification prior to incurring an expense or entering into a contract. It is important to have a thorough understanding of these guidelines to avoid ineligible expenditures and consequent repayment of funds. LROs' questions can be answered by National Board staff at (703) 706-9660. (ii) Provide services within the intent of the program. Funds are to be used to supplement and extend food and shelter services, not as a substitute for other program funds. LROs should take the most cost- effective approach in buying or leasing eligible items/services, and should limit purchases to essential items within the $300 limit for equipment, unless prior approval has been granted by the National Board. (iii) Deposit funds for this program in a federally insured bank account. Proper documentation must be maintained for all expenditures under this program according to the guidelines. Agencies should ensure that selected banks will return canceled checks. LROs' expenditures and documentation will be subject to review for program compliance by the Local Board, National Board or Federal authorities. Records must be maintained for three years and any interest income must be put back into program expenditures. 6.1 Independent Annual Audit Requirements (a) LROs receiving $25,000 or less in EFSP funding. No independent annual audit will be required for these LROs. (b) LROs receiving $25,000 or more in EFSP funding. An independent annual audit in accordance with Government Auditing Standards will be required for these LROs. The National Board will accept an LROs national/regional annual audit if the following conditions are met: (1) The LRO is truly a subsidiary of the national organization (i.e., shares a single Federal tax exemption). (2) The LRO is audited by the national/regional office internal auditors or other person designated by the national/regional office AND the national/regional office is audited by an independent certified public accountant or public accounting firm, which includes the parent organization's review of the LRO in a larger audit review. (3) A copy of the local audit review by the parent organization along with a copy of the independent audit of the national/regional office will be made available to the National Board upon request. In addition to the above requirements, any LRO receiving $100,000 or more in combined federal funds must have an audit made in accordance with OMB Circulars A-128 or A-133, as applicable. Audits of units of government shall be made annually unless State or local government had, by January 1, 1987, a constitutional or statutory requirement for less frequent audits. For those governments' biennial audits, covering both years are permitted. 6.2 Fiscal Agent/Fiscal Conduit Relationship (a) For National Board purposes, a fiscal agent is an agency that maintains all EFSP financial records for another agency. A fiscal conduit is an EFSP-funded agency that maintains all EFSP financial records on behalf of one or more agencies under a single grant. If any one agency in a jurisdiction is making bulk purchases for other agencies not funded directly, it must serve as a fiscal conduit and follow all rules, thereof. (b) The fiscal agent/fiscal conduit is the organization responsible for the receipt of funds, disbursement of funds to vendors, and documentation of funds received. The fiscal agent/fiscal conduit must meet all of the requirements of an LRO. (c) Local Boards may wish to use a fiscal agent/fiscal conduit when they [[Page 15488]] desire to fund an agency that does not have an adequate accounting system nor conducts an annual audit, but nevertheless meets all other criteria. The Local Board may authorize funds to be channeled through another agency which has been designated as the fiscal agent/conduit. Fiscal agents/conduits will be held accountable for compliance with program requirements. (d) Any agency benefitting from funds received by a fiscal agent/ fiscal conduit must meet all of the criteria to be an LRO except the accounting system and annual audit requirements and sign the Fiscal Agent/Fiscal Conduit Relationship Certification Form. For tracking purposes, all agencies funded through fiscal agents or fiscal conduits must secure a Federal Employer's Identification Number. (e) Fiscal agents/fiscal conduits may cut checks to vendors only. They may not cut checks to the agencies on whose behalf they are acting or to agencies/sites under their ``umbrella.'' The exception to this is when an agency is using the per diem allowance for mass shelters or the per meal allowance for served meals. (f) Fiscal agents will be required to submit individual interim and final reports for each agency. Fiscal conduits will file a single interim report on their awards along with a breakdown of agencies and spending with the final report. (g) Any LRO with an outstanding compliance exception may not be funded under a fiscal agent/fiscal conduit. If a fiscal agent has an unresolved compliance exception, any other funds awarded to the fiscal agent (either as a grant for its own program or as fiscal agent for another agency) will be held in escrow until all compliance exceptions are resolved. Fiscal conduits will be audited as a single award, and will be handled as any other LRO. 6.3 Financial Terms and Conditions (a) Definitions. ``Local Recipient Organization'' refers to the local private or public organizations that will receive any award of funds from the National Board. ``Award'' refers to the award of funds made by the National Board to a local private or public organization on the recommendation of a Local Board. ``End-of-program date'' refers to the date, as agreed upon by Local and National Board, by which all monies in a given jurisdiction must be spent or returned. (b) Amendments. An award may be amended at any time by a written modification. Amendments that reflect the rights and obligations of either party shall be executed by both the National Board and the LRO. Administrative amendments such as changes in accounting data may be issued unilaterally by the National Board. (c) Local Board Authority Related to LROs. (1) The Local Board is responsible for monitoring expenditures of LROs providing food and/or shelter services, authorizing the adjustment of funds between food and shelter programs, and reallocating funds from one LRO to another. (2) Local Boards may not alter or change National Board cost eligibility or approve expenditures outside the National Board's criteria without National Board permission. (Refer to Section 3.1 on Variances and Waivers.) (3) A Local Board can call back funds from an LRO and reallocate to another LRO in the case of gross negligence, inadequate use of funds, failure to use funds, failure to use funds for purposes intended, or for any other violation of the National Board guidelines, or in cases of critical need in the community. The Local Board must advise, in writing, all concerned LROs of any reallocation of their original award. (4) In the event the Local Board discovers ineligible expenditures by an LRO, the Local Board must send to the organization a written request for reimbursement of the amount. The National Board must also be notified. If the LRO is unwilling or unable to reimburse the National Board for the ineligible expenditures, the Local Board must refer the matter to the National Board. The National Board may ask the Local Board to take further action to see that reimbursement of ineligible expenditures is made to the National Board, or the National Board may refer the matter to FEMA. If the Local Board suspects that fraud has been committed by an LRO, the Local Board must contact the Office of the Inspector General, FEMA, in writing or by telephone at 1-800-323-8603 with details of suspected fraud or misuse of Federal funds. (5) If an LRO received an award under previous phases, it must not include those funds in any reporting for the present awards. Reports should be confined to the amount granted by the National Board under the new appropriations legislation. (d) Cash Depositories. (1) Any money advanced to the LRO under the terms of this award must be deposited in a bank with Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or Federal Savings & Loan Insurance Corporation (FSLIC) insurance coverage (whose responsibility has been taken over by FDIC), and the balance exceeding the FDIC or FSLIC coverage must be collaterally secured. Interest income earned on these monies must be put back into program costs. (2) LROs are encouraged to use minority banks (a bank which is owned at least 50 percent by minority group members). This is consistent with the national goal of expanding the opportunities for minority business enterprises. A list of minority-owned banks can be obtained from the Office of Minority Business Enterprises, Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20203. (e) Retention and Custodial Requirements for Records. (1) Financial records, supporting documentation, statistical records, and all other records pertinent to the award shall be retained for a period of three years, with the following exceptions: (i) If any litigation, claim or audit is started before the expiration of the three-year period, the records shall be retained until all litigation, claims or audit findings involving the records have been resolved. (ii) Records for nonexpendable property, if any, acquired in part with Federal funds shall be retained for three years after submission of a final report. Nonexpendable property is defined as tangible property having a useful life of more than one year and an acquisition cost of more than $300 per unit. (2) The retention period starts from the date of the submission by the LRO of the final expenditure report. (3) The National Board may request transfer of certain records to its custody from the LRO when it determines that the records possess long-term retention value. The LRO shall make such transfers as requested. (4) The Director of FEMA, the Comptroller General of the United States, and the National Board, or any of their duly authorized representatives, shall have access to any pertinent books, documents, papers, and records of the recipient organization, and its subgrantees to make audits, examinations, excerpts and transcripts. (f) Financial management systems. (1) The LRO/fiscal agent or fiscal conduit shall maintain a financial management system that provides for the following: (i) Accurate, current and complete disclosures of the financial results of this program. (ii) Records that identify adequately the source and application of funds for federally supported activities. These records shall contain information pertaining to Federal awards, [[Page 15489]] authorizations, obligations, unobligated balances, assets, outlays, and incomes. (iii) Effective control over and accountability for all funds, property, and other assets. (iv) Procedures for determining eligibility of costs in accordance with the provisions of the EFSP manual. (v) Accounting records that are supported by source documentation. The LRO must maintain and retain a register of cash receipts and disbursements and original supporting documentation such as purchase orders, invoices, canceled checks, and whatever other documentation is necessary to support its costs under the program. (vi) A systematic method to ensure timely and appropriate resolution of audit findings and recommendations. (vii) In cases where more than one civil jurisdiction (e.g., a city and a balance of county, or several counties) recommends awards to the same LRO, the organization can combine these funds in a single account. However, separate program records for each civil jurisdiction award must be kept. (h) Payment. A first payment shall be made to the LRO by the Secretariat upon recommendation of the Local Board and approval by the National Board. Second check requests include an interim report to be completed by each LRO. The request is signed by the Local Board Chair, and mailed to the National Board. Second/third installments will be held until the jurisdiction's final Local Board report and documentation for the previous year has been reviewed and found to be clear. (i) Financial reporting requirements. LROs shall submit a financial status report to the Local Board which will be forwarded to the National Board 45 days after the jurisdiction's program ending date. The National Board shall provide the LRO, through the Local Board, with the necessary report forms well in advance of report deadlines. (j) Closeout procedures. (1) The following definitions shall apply to closeout procedures: ``Close-out'' is the process by which the National Board determines that all applicable administrative actions and all required work of the award have been completed. ``Disallowed costs'' are those charges that the National Board determined to be unallowable in accordance with the legislation, National Board requirements, applicable Federal cost principles, or other conditions contained in the award. The applicable cost principles for Private Voluntary Organizations are contained in OMB Circular A- 122, ``Cost Principles Applicable for Non-Profit Agencies,'' and OMB Circular A-110, ``Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Other Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-Profit Organizations.'' The applicable cost principles for Public Organizations are contained in OMB Circular A-87, ``Cost Principles for State Agencies and Units of Local Governments.'' If you are unsure of where to find these circulars, check with your local Congressional Representative. (k) Suspension and Termination Procedures. (1) The following definitions shall apply: (i) ``Termination'' of the award means the cancellation of Federal assistance, in whole or in part, under the award at any time prior to the date of completion. (ii) ``Suspension'' of the award is an action by the Local Board or National Board that temporarily suspends Federal assistance under the award pending corrective action by the LRO or pending a decision by the National Board to terminate the award. (iii) ``Local Board Authority'' is authority to suspend/reallocate all or a portion of an LRO's award at its discretion for any cause (i.e., inability to deliver services, suspected fraud, violation of eligible costs, changing need in the community, etc.). (l) Lobbying. (1) Public Law 101-121, Section 319, states that an LRO shall not use Federally appropriated grant funds for lobbying activities. This condition bars the use of Federal money for political activities, but does not in any way restrict lobbying or political activities paid for with non-Federal funds. This condition prohibits the use of Federal grant funds for the following activities: (i) Federal, State or local electioneering and support of such entities as campaign organizations and political action committees; (ii) Direct lobbying of the Congress and State legislatures to influence legislation; (iii) Grassroots lobbying concerning either Federal or State legislation; (iv) Lobbying of the Executive branch in connection with decisions to sign or veto enrolled legislation; and, (v) Efforts to utilize State or local officials to lobby the Congressional or State Legislatures. (2) Any LRO that will receive more than $100,000 in EFSP funds is required to submit the following prior to grant payment: (i) A certification form that EFSP funds will not be used for lobbying activities; and, (ii) A disclosure of lobbying activities (if applicable). This certification and disclosure must be submitted prior to grant payment. 6.4 Grant Payment Process United Way of America has been designated as the fiscal agent for the National Board and as such will process all Local Board plans. Payments will be made to organizations recommended by Local Boards for funding. The National Board offers two methods of payment to LROs: direct deposit (electronic funds transfer) or checks. The National Board encourages LROs to take advantage of direct deposit where possible. All awards totaling less than $100,000 will be paid in two equal installments. Awards totaling $100,000 or more will be paid in two equal installments upon submission of lobbying certification and disclosure. The National Board will distribute second payments once the jurisdiction's compliance review is completed for the previous program period. Second payments will be held in escrow until all compliance exceptions are satisfied by the LRO. The deadline to request all second payments under Phase XV is July 31, 1997. Therefore, for those LROs ineligible to receive their second checks due to unresolved compliance exceptions, Local Boards must reallocate their escrowed awards by July 31, 1997. All payments will be mailed directly to the LRO. Second payments will be mailed to the LRO only upon the written request of the Local Board Chair along with the LRO's interim report. The Local Board will authorize second payments once they are assured that the organization is implementing the current program as intended and according to these guidelines. 6.5 Eligibility of Costs The intent of this appropriation is for the purchase of food and shelter to supplement and extend current available resources and not to substitute or reimburse ongoing programs and services. Questions regarding interpretation of the program's guidelines should be cleared by the LRO with the Local Board prior to action. Local Boards unsure of the meaning of these guidelines should contact the National Board at (703) 706-9660 for clarification prior to advising the LRO. If an expenditure requested by an LRO is not listed below as eligible, the Local Board has the option of requesting a [[Page 15490]] waiver from the National Board for consideration. No individual or family may be charged a fee for service with relation to assistance under EFSP. (a) Eligible Program Costs. Eligible program costs include, but are not limited to: For food banks/pantries, eligible costs include: (1) Groceries, food vouchers, vegetable seeds, gift certificates for food. Documentation required: receipts/invoices for food purchased and canceled checks. (2) An allowance for maintenance fees charged by food banks can be granted by a Local Board at the prevailing rate. EFSP funds cannot be used to pay such a maintenance fee twice: by a food bank and by the food pantry/agency it is serving. Food banks may operate as both a vendor and LRO. Documentation required: receipts/invoices for food purchased and canceled checks. (3) Transportation expenses related to the delivery of purchased and donated food; limited to actual fuel costs. Documentation required: (1) mileage log at the current Federal rate (30 cents per mile), with departure, destination and trip purpose; or, (2) receipts/invoices from contracted services or public transportation, receipts for actual fuel costs; and canceled checks. (4) Purchase of small equipment not exceeding $300 per item and essential to operation of food bank or pantry (e.g., shelving, storage containers). Documentation required: receipts/invoices for equipment purchased and canceled checks. (5) Purchase of consumable supplies essential to distribution of food (e.g., bags, boxes). Documentation required: receipts/invoices for supplies purchased and canceled checks. For mass shelters (five or more beds) or mass feeding sites, eligible expenditures include: (6) Food (hot meals, groceries, food vouchers). Limited amounts of dessert items (i.e., cookies, ice cream, candy, etc.) used as a part of a daily diet plan may be purchased. Also allowable are vegetable seeds and vegetable plants cultivated in an agency's garden on-site and canning supplies. Documentation required: receipts/invoices for food purchased and canceled checks or served meals per diem schedule). (7) Local transportation expenses for picking up/delivery of food; transporting clients to mass shelter or feeding site. Limited to actual fuel costs, a mileage log at the current Federal rate (30 cents per mile), contracted services or public transportation. Documentation required: (1) mileage log, or (2) receipts/invoices from contracted services or public transportation, receipts for actual fuel costs, and canceled checks. (8) Purchase of consumable supplies essential to mass feeding (i.e., plastic cups, utensils, detergent, etc.) or mass shelters of five or more beds (i.e., soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, cleaning supplies, etc.) Documentation required: receipts/invoices for supplies purchased and canceled checks. (9) Purchase of small equipment not exceeding $300 per item and essential to mass feeding (i.e., pots, pans, toasters, blenders, etc.) or mass shelters (i.e., cots, blankets, linens, etc.). Documentation required: receipts/invoices for equipment purchased and canceled checks. (10) Leasing, only for the program period, of capital equipment associated with mass feeding or mass shelter (e.g., stoves, freezers, or vans with costs over $300 per item) only if approved in advance by the Local Board. Documentation required: written Local Board approval, copy of lease agreement, and canceled checks. (11) With prior Local Board approval, minor emergency repair of small equipment essential to mass feeding or sheltering not exceeding $300 in repair costs per item. Equipment eligible for repairs are any that if not repaired would force the LRO to terminate or curtail services (e.g. stove, refrigerator, hot water heater). Routine maintenance and service contracts are not eligible expenses. Documentation required: receipts or bills for equipment repair and canceled checks. (12) Limited amounts of basic first-aid supplies (e.g., aspirin, band-aids, cough syrup) for mass shelter providers and mass feeding sites only. Documentation required: receipts/invoices for first-aid supplies and canceled checks. (13) Emergency repairs/building code of a mass feeding facility or mass shelter, provided: (i) The facility is owned by a not-for-profit organization (profit- making facilities, leased facilities, government facilities, and individual residences are not eligible); and, (ii) The emergency repair/building code plan and the contract detailing work to be done and material and equipment to be used or purchased is approved by the Local Board prior to the start of the emergency repair/building code project; and, (iii) The emergency repair/building code is limited to: (A) Bring facility into compliance with local building codes; or, (B) An emergency repair that is required to keep the facility open for the current program phase. (C) Maximum expenditure: $2,500. (D) No award funds are used for decorative or non-essential purposes or routine maintenance/repairs. (E) All emergency repair work is completed and paid for by the end of the jurisdiction's award phase. (Expenses which occur after that date will not be accepted as eligible costs.) Documentation required: letter from Local Board indicating approval and amount approved, copy of contract including cost or invoices for supplies and contract labor, document citing building code violation requiring the repair (for building code repairs) and canceled checks. (14) Expenses incurred from accessibility improvements for the disabled are eligible for mass feeding or mass shelter facilities up to a limit of $2,500. These improvements may include those required by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. A building code citation is not necessary for accessibility improvements. Note: All social service providers are mandated to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Documentation required: copy of contract describing work to be done including cost, letter from Local Board indicating approval and amount approved, and canceled checks. For mass shelter providers, there are two options for eligible costs. One option must be selected at the beginning of the program year and continued throughout the entire year. Note the documentation requirements for each option. (15) Reimbursement of actual direct eligible costs; in which case canceled checks and vendor invoices for supplies/equipment essential to the operation of the mass shelter (e.g., cots, mattresses, soap, linens, blankets, cleaning supplies, etc.) must be maintained. Documentation required: receipts/invoices from vendor relating to operation of facility and canceled checks. (16) Per diem allowance of exactly $5 per person or exactly $10 per person per night for mass shelter (five beds or more) providers, only if: (i) Approved in advance by the Local Board; and, (ii) LROs total mass shelter award is expended in this manner. Note: It is the decision of the Local Board to choose between the $5/$10 rate. This rate may vary from agency to agency. The $5/ $10 per diem, if elected, may be expended by the LRO for any cost related to the operation of the mass shelter; it is not limited to otherwise eligible items. The per diem allowance does not include the additional costs associated with food. Documentation required: schedule [[Page 15491]] showing daily rate of $5 or $10 and number of persons sheltered by date with totals. Supporting documentation must be retained on-site, e.g., checks, invoices and service records. For mass feeding programs, there are two options for eligible costs. One option must be selected at the beginning of the program year and continued throughout the entire year. Note the documentation requirements for each option. (17) Reimbursement of actual direct eligible costs; in which case canceled checks and vendor invoices for supplies/equipment essential to the operation of the mass feeding programs (e.g., food, paper products, cleaning products, pots and pans, etc.) must be maintained. Documentation required: receipts/invoices from vendor relating to operation of facility and canceled checks. (18) Per meal allowance of $1.50 per meal served only if: (i) Approved in advance by the Local Board; and, (ii) LRO's total mass feeding award is expended in this manner. The $1.50 per meal allowance, if elected, may be expended by the LRO for any related cost; it is not limited to otherwise eligible items. The per meal allowance does not include the additional costs associated with shelter. Documentation required: schedule showing meal rate of $1.50 and number of meals served by date with totals. Supporting documentation must be retained on-site, e.g., checks/invoices and service records. (19) For all agencies, eligible costs include the purchase of diapers for distribution to individuals/families. Vouchers to grocery stores may include diapers. Note: Local Boards should use discretion in selecting LROs to provide this service, taking into consideration the cost effectiveness of bulk purchasing. Documentation required: receipts/ invoices for diapers purchased and canceled checks. For rent/mortgage assistance, eligible program costs include: (20) Limited emergency rent or mortgage assistance for individuals or families, provided that: (i) Payment is in arrears or due within 5 days; and, (ii) All other resources have been exhausted; and, (iii) The client is primary resident of the home in which rent/ mortgage is being paid and responsible for the rent/mortgage on the home or apartment where the rent/mortgage assistance is to be paid; (iv) Payment is limited to one month's cost for each individual or family. Assistance can be provided for a full month's rent/mortgage all at one time, or in separate payments over a period of up to 90 consecutive days so long as the total amount paid does not exceed one month's costs; (v) Assistance is provided only once in each award phase for each individual or family; and, (vi) Payment must guarantee an additional 30 days service. Note: Late fees, legal fees, and deposits are ineligible. Payments for trailers and lots are eligible and can be paid to a mortgage company or to a private landlord. Documentation required: letters from landlords (must include amount of one month's rent and statement that rent is past due), mortgage letters and/or copy of loan coupon showing mortgage amount and date due and canceled checks. (21) First month's rent may be paid when an individual or family: (i) Is transient and plans to stay in the area for an extended period of time; or, (ii) Is moving from a temporary shelter to a more permanent living arrangement; or, (iii) Is being evicted because one month payment will not forestall eviction. The first month's rent cannot be provided in addition to emergency rent/mortgage payment under Item 20 above. It can be provided in addition to assistance provided for off-site and mass shelter. Documentation required: letters from landlords [must include amount of first month's rent] and canceled checks. For utility assistance, eligible program costs include: (22) Limited utility assistance (includes gas, coal, electricity, oil, water, firewood) for individuals or families, provided that: (i) Payment is in arrears; and, (ii) All other resources have been exhausted (e.g., State's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program); and, (iii) Payment is limited to one month's cost for each utility for each individual or family; and, (iv) Month paid is part of the arrearage and from current phase or for continuous service; and, (v) Each utility can be paid only once in each award phase for any individual or family. (vi) Payment must guarantee an additional 30 days service. Note: Reconnect are eligible. Late fees and deposits are ineligible. Utility assistance can be provided in addition to eligible rent/mortgage assistance. The National Board encourages the use of the metered utility verification form (along with a copy of the past due utility bill) as the preferred method for verifying eligible utility assistance. Documentation required: (1) nonmetered utilities [e.g., propane, firewood], receipts/invoices for fuel including due date and canceled checks; (2) metered utilities [e.g., electricity, water], copy of past due utility bill showing one month's charges including due date and canceled checks. Note: utility disconnect and termination notices often do not show amount owed by month. This information must verified with the utility company and written onto the notice or metered utility verification form if not included. For other shelter assistance, eligible program costs include: (23) Off-site emergency lodging in a hotel or motel, or other off- site shelter facility provided: (i) No appropriate on-site shelter is available; and, (ii) It is limited to 30-days' assistance per individual or family during the program period. Note: Assistance may be extended in extreme cases with prior Local Board written approval. A copy of this approval should accompany LRO's documentation. Note: An LRO may not operate as a vendor for itself or other LROs, except for shared maintenance fee for food banks. Documentation required: receipts/invoices from off-site shelter (hotel/motel) and canceled checks. (b) Ineligible Program Costs. Purposes for which funds CANNOT BE USED include, but are not limited to: (1) Cash payments of any kind including checks made out to cash or reimbursements to staff, volunteers or clients for program purchases. (2) Deposits of any kind. (3) Payment of more than one month's rent amount. (4) Payment of more than one month's mortgage, first month's mortgage, or down payment on mortgage. (5) Transportation of people not related to the direct provision of food or shelter (e.g. to another agency, another city, relative's home, transportation to jobs, health care, etc.). (6) Payment of more than one month's portion of an accumulated utility bill. (7) Payments made directly to a client. (8) Rental security; deposits; revolving loan accounts. (9) Real property (land or buildings) costing more than $300. (10) Property taxes of any kind. (11) Equipment costing more than $300 per item (e.g., vehicles, freezers, washers). (12) Emergency repairs/building code or rehabilitation to government-owned or profit-making facilities or leased facilities. (13) Routine maintenance of agency facilities; routine maintenance or service contracts on equipment. [[Page 15492]] (14) Rehabilitation for expansion of service. (15) Repairs of any kind to an individual's house or apartment. (16) Purchase of supplies or equipment for an individual's home or private use. (17) Lease-purchase agreements. (18) Administrative cost reimbursement to State or regional offices of governmental or voluntary organizations. (18) Lobbying efforts. (19) Expenditures made prior to beginning of jurisdiction's program. (20) Expenditures made after end of jurisdiction's program. (21) Gas or repairs for client-owned transportation. (22) Repairs to LRO-owned vehicles. (23) Prescription medication or medical supplies. (24) Clothing (except underwear/diapers for clients of mass shelters, if necessary). (25) Payments for expenses not incurred (i.e., where no goods or services have been provided during new program period). (26) Emergency assistance for natural disaster victims. (i) Supplies bought for and in anticipation of a natural disaster. (27) Telephone costs, except as administrative allowance and limited to the total allowance (2 percent). (28) Salaries, except as administrative allowance and limited to the total allowance (2 percent). (29) Office equipment, except as administrative allowance and limited to the total allowance (2 percent). (30) LRO may not operate as a vendor for itself or other LROs, except for shared maintenance fee for food banks. (31) Direct expenses associated with new or expanded services or to prevent closing. (32) Increased utility costs due to expansion of service. (33) Encumbrance of funds for shelter, emergency repairs, utilities, that is, payments for goods or services that are purchased and are to be delivered at a later date. Also, withholding assistance in anticipation of a future need (e.g., holiday events, special programs). (34) Supplementing foster care costs, where an LRO has already received payment for basic boarding of a client. Comprehensive foster care costs beyond food and shelter are not allowed. (35) No fee for service may be charged to individuals or families in order to receive service. (c) Administrative allowance. (1) There is an administrative allowance limitation of two percent (2%) of total funds received by the Local Board, excluding any interest earned. This allowance is a part of the total award, not in addition to the award. The local administrative allowance is intended for use by LROs or Local Boards and not for reimbursement of the program or administrative costs that a recipient's parent organization (its State or regional offices) might incur as a result of this additional funding. (2) The Local Board may elect to use, for its own administrative costs, all or any portion of the 2 percent allowance. The decision on distribution of the allowance among LROs rests with the Local Board. No LRO may receive an allowance greater than 2 percent of that LRO's award amount unless the LRO is providing the administrative support for the Local Board and it is approved by the National Board. (3) The SSA Committee, when in operation, may utilize a maximum of one-half of one percent (0.5%) for its administrative costs in allocating the SSA grant. As with Local Board awards, this administrative allowance is part of the total award, not in addition to the award. (4) Any of the administrative allowance not used must be put back into program funds for additional services. Note: The administrative allowance may only be allocated in whole-dollar amounts. Required Documentation: None with the final report; LROs receiving funds for administration must retain documentation that the funds were spent on the direct administration of EFSP. 6.6 Required Documentation (a) Documentation. LRO Documentation of EFSP expenditures requires copies of canceled checks (both sides) and itemized vendor invoices. An acceptable invoice has the following characteristics: (1) It must be vendor originated; (2) It must have name of vendor; (3) It must have name of purchaser; (4) It must have date of purchase; (5) It must be itemized; and, (6) It must have total cost of purchase. Documentation may also include: per diem schedule, per meal allowance schedule, and mileage logs. All LROs will be required to periodically submit documentation to the National Board to ensure continued program compliance. Any LRO receiving over $100,000 in Federal funds must comply with OMB Circular A-133. (b) Reports. In addition to the aforementioned documentation, reports to the Local Board must be submitted by their due date. Interim report/second and third check request forms will be enclosed in the LROs' first check package. When the LRO is ready to request its second/third check it must complete and sign the interim report and forward it to the Local Board for its review and approval. The reverse side (second/third check request) should be completed by the Local Board chair and mailed to the National Board. LROs must complete all portions of the final report form, return two copies to the Local Board, including one copy of documentation if requested, and retain a copy for their records. The LRO must work with the Local Board to quickly clear up any problems related to compliance exception(s) at the end of the program. 7.0 Local Appeals Process (a) Fairness and openness. An appeals process is a statement to eligible agencies and to the community at large that the Local Board is interested in fairness and openness. A good appeals process begins with prevention. If the Local Board includes both representatives of affiliates of the National Board and representatives of other groups involved with assisting hungry and homeless people, it is less likely to experience an appeal. Similarly, if the Local Board's decision-making process is open, thorough, and even-handed, appeals are less likely. It is the responsibility of the Local Board to establish a written appeals process. That process may be simple or elaborate, depending on the needs of the community. (b) Appeals guidelines. The appeal process should meet the following guidelines: (1) It should be available to agencies and to the public upon request; (2) It should be timely, without undue delay; (3) It should include the basis for appeal (e.g., Provision of information not previously available to the group making the appeal or to the Local Board; correction of erroneous information; violation of Federal or National Board guidelines; or allegation of bias, fraud, or misuse of Federal funds on the part of the Local Board may be cause for appeal); (4) The decision should be communicated to the organization making the appeal in a timely manner. In the case of an appeal on the basis of fraud or other abuse of Federal funds, the agency making the appeal must be informed of the right of referral to the National Board; (c) Primary decision maker. Except for cost and LRO eligibility, the Local Board [[Page 15493]] is the primary decision maker. Only when there is significant question of misapplication of guidelines, fraud, or other abuse on the part of the Local Board will the National Board consider action. (d) Common appeals practices. The National Board does not mandate any particular appeals process. However, some Local Boards have developed processes which work well for them and may offer some help to other communities. Common practices include the following: (1) Set a time period of not more than 30 days for agencies or organizations to appeal a funding decision; (2) Require written notice of appeal, signed by the Chief Volunteer Officer of the organization making the appeal; (3) The first level of appeal is usually to the Local Board, or to an executive committee of the board; (e) Appeals boards; delegations. Some boards appoint one or more members to act as a liaison with the organization making the appeal: (1) In the case of an appeal for the purpose of providing previously unavailable information or correction of erroneous information, the process usually ends with prompt notification of decision (within ten working days of appeal). (2) In the case of appeals for the purpose of contesting alleged prejudice, violation of law or National Board guidelines, fraud, or misuse of Federal funds, some boards have allowed appeals to a group other than the board itself. This practice is not mandated but is permitted by the National Board. Such groups may simply be composed of different individuals representing the same organizations that make up the Local Board. They may also include an entirely different group of persons who have knowledge of the program and are deemed by the board to be both responsible and unbiased, and to hold the trust of the community at large. (3) If the board chooses to delegate authority to any third party in an appeals process, the power and authority of that body should be clear. Is it simply advisory to the Local Board? Will the board abide by the decisions of this body as long as they are consistent with the law and the National Board guidelines? (4) The disposition of appeals is often communicated by telephone to the chief professional and volunteer officers of the organization appealing immediately after a decision is made. In such cases, a written communication is sent as soon as possible confirming the action taken. The written communication is, of course, the official notification. (f) National Board role. It is important to reaffirm that no single appeals process is mandated or advised by the National Board. 8.0 Allocations Formula (a) Designation of Target Areas. Local jurisdictions will be selected to receive funds from the National Board based on average unemployment statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor for the most current 12-month period (August 1, 1995-July 31, 1996) available. Also used are poverty statistics from the 1990 Census. The Board adopted this combined approach in order to target funds for high-need areas more effectively. Funds designated for a particular jurisdiction must be used to provide services within that jurisdiction. The National Board based its determination of high-need jurisdictions on four factors: (1) Most current twelve-month national unemployment rates; (2) Total number of unemployed within a civil jurisdiction; (3) Total number of individuals below the poverty level within a civil jurisdiction; and, (4) The total population of the civil jurisdiction. In addition to unemployment, poverty was used to qualify a jurisdiction for receipt of an award. (b) Fiscal Year 1997 Formula. Jurisdictions were selected under Phase XV (PL 104-204) according to the following criteria: (1) Jurisdictions, including balance of counties, with 18,000+ unemployed and a 4.5% rate of unemployment. (2) Jurisdictions, including balance of counties, with 400 to 17,999 unemployed and a 6.8% rate of unemployment. (3) Jurisdictions, including balance of counties, with 400 or more unemployed and an 11.7% rate of poverty. Jurisdictions with a minimum of 400 unemployed may qualify for an award based upon their rate of unemployment or their rate of poverty. Once a jurisdiction's eligibility is established, the National Board will determine its fund distribution based on a ratio calculated as follows: the average number of unemployed within an eligible area divided by the average number of unemployed covered by the national program equals the area's portion of the award (less National Board administrative costs, and less that portion of program funds required to fulfill designated awards). [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN01AP97.004 Puerto Rico and U.S. territories will receive a designated percentage of the total award based on the decision of the National Board. 9.0 Amendments to Plan The National Board reserves the right to amend this Plan at any time. Dated: March 26, 1997. Kay C. Goss, Associate Director, Preparedness, Training and Exercise Directorate. The following is a list of Phase XV (fiscal year 1997) allocations. These jurisdictions were notified in October, 1996, regarding this award. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ State or territory Jurisdiction FY 97 award ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Alabama........................... Autauga County...... $14,048 Baldwin County...... 45,084 Barbour County...... 16,256 Bibb County......... 8,271 Blount County....... 12,199 Bullock County...... 10,293 Butler County....... 11,597 [[Page 15494]] Calhoun County...... 57,871 Chambers County..... 15,511 Cherokee County..... 8,601 Chilton County...... 14,436 Choctaw County...... 11,425 Clarke County....... 21,832 Cleburne County..... 6,207 Coffee County....... 15,697 Colbert County...... 27,638 Conecuh County...... 12,085 Covington County.... 20,227 Crenshaw County..... 6,279 Cullman County...... 28,943 Dale County......... 18,679 Dallas County....... 38,232 De Kalb County...... 25,517 Elmore County....... 17,417 Escambia County..... 17,403 Etowah County....... 42,876 Fayette County...... 6,078 Franklin County..... 17,962 Geneva County....... 14,694 Greene County....... 7,956 Hale County......... 9,045 Henry County........ 6,996 Houston County...... 26,305 Jackson County...... 34,734 Jefferson County.... 187,590 Lamar County........ 7,755 Lauderdale County... 39,121 Lawrence County..... 17,159 Lee County.......... 26,749 Limestone County.... 19,223 Lowndes County...... 9,017 Macon County........ 9,705 Marengo County...... 13,461 Marion County....... 15,640 Marshall County..... 38,203 Mobile County....... 176,939 Monroe County....... 21,617 Montgomery County... 74,443 Morgan County....... 43,077 Perry County........ 9,633 Pickens County...... 11,841 Pike County......... 12,658 Randolph County..... 10,995 Russell County...... 20,657 St. Clair County.... 14,321 State Set-Aside 49,696 Committee, AL. Sumter County....... 11,941 Talladega County.... 39,006 Tallapoosa County... 17,260 Tuscaloosa County... 44,453 Walker County....... 30,104 Washington County... 11,827 Wilcox County....... 9,045 Winston County...... 11,726 Alaska............................ Bethel Census Area.. 7,770 Fairbanks North Star 44,339 Boro. Kenai Peninsula 40,296 Borough. Ketchikan Gateway 9,017 Borough. Kodiak Island 10,594 Borough. Matanuska-Susitna 38,562 Census. Nome Census Area.... 6,623 State Set-Aside 73,759 Committee, AK. Valdez-Cordova 7,956 Census Area. Wrangell-Petersburg 5,834 Census. American Samoa.................... American Samoa...... 105,000 Arizona........................... Apache County....... 47,077 Cochise County...... 54,975 Coconino County..... 63,978 Gila County......... 20,356 Graham County....... 14,005 La Paz County....... 9,418 [[Page 15495]] Maricopa County..... 623,193 Mohave County....... 55,162 Navajo County....... 66,085 Pima County......... 176,308 Pinal County........ 36,899 Santa Cruz County... 43,378 State Set-Aside 2,237 Committee, AZ. Yavapai County...... 40,267 Yuma County......... 251,941 Arkansas.......................... Arkansas County..... 7,612 Ashley County....... 9,390 Baxter County....... 7,469 Boone County........ 9,977 Bradley County...... 6,207 Carroll County...... 8,415 Chicot County....... 7,927 Clay County......... 7,927 Cleburne County..... 7,211 Columbia County..... 10,794 Conway County....... 6,695 Craighead County.... 22,248 Crawford County..... 17,073 Crittenden County... 17,604 Cross County........ 7,082 Desha County........ 10,106 Drew County......... 9,332 Faulkner County..... 23,925 Garland County...... 23,653 Greene County....... 13,389 Hempstead County.... 12,658 Hot Spring County... 8,271 Independence County. 14,765 Jackson County...... 10,938 Jefferson County.... 36,626 Johnson County...... 5,763 Lawrence County..... 7,469 Lee County.......... 6,666 Little River County. 5,791 Logan County........ 6,924 Lonoke County....... 12,773 Miller County....... 15,253 Mississippi County.. 33,616 Ouachita County..... 16,772 Phillips County..... 15,582 Poinsett County..... 8,902 Pope County......... 17,532 Pulaski County...... 97,020 Randolph County..... 12,701 Sebastian County.... 37,028 St. Francis County.. 16,973 State Set-Aside 72,476 Committee, AR. Union County........ 19,410 Washington County... 27,796 White County........ 24,685 California........................ Alameda County...... 313,825 Amador County....... 14,091 Butte County........ 112,474 Calaveras County.... 20,628 Colusa County....... 24,613 Contra Costa County. 355,397 Del Norte County.... 16,657 El Dorado County.... 71,160 Fresno City/County.. 738,390 Glenn County........ 25,603 Humboldt County..... 69,009 Imperial County..... 255,582 Inyo County......... 9,232 Kern County......... 533,483 Kings County........ 87,574 Lake County......... 40,239 Lassen County....... 18,492 Los Angeles City/ 5,099,363 County. Madera County....... 107,184 [[Page 15496]] Mariposa County..... 10,121 Mendocino County.... 53,470 Merced County....... 203,660 Modoc County........ 7,612 Mono County......... 10,178 Monterey County..... 301,913 Napa County......... 49,800 Nevada County....... 42,790 Oakland City........ 222,338 Orange County....... 903,216 Placer County....... 87,746 Plumas County....... 18,249 Riverside County.... 788,420 Sacramento County... 509,400 San Benito County... 43,507 San Bernardino 768,967 County. San Diego County.... 1,062,336 San Francisco City/ 318,570 County. San Joaquin County.. 415,032 San Luis Obispo 87,932 County. San Mateo County.... 205,323 Santa Barbara County 170,918 Santa Clara County.. 520,653 Santa Cruz County... 175,305 Shasta County....... 109,979 Siskiyou County..... 38,461 Solano County....... 197,926 Stanislaus County... 418,515 State Set-Aside 112,201 Committee, CA. Sutter County....... 82,212 Tehama County....... 37,128 Trinity County...... 10,780 Tulare County....... 384,842 Tuolumne County..... 30,921 Ventura County...... 402,273 Yolo County......... 83,488 Yuba County......... 43,694 Colorado.......................... Adams County........ 96,662 Alamosa County...... 6,881 Boulder County...... 89,709 Delta County........ 8,988 Denver City/County.. 188,106 Fremont County...... 11,525 Gunnison County..... 6,680 La Plata County..... 15,597 Larimer County...... 69,268 Las Animas County... 6,809 Mesa County......... 41,644 Montezuma County.... 10,508 Montrose County..... 13,919 Morgan County....... 6,838 Otero County........ 6,709 Pueblo County....... 48,840 Rio Grande County... 6,967 State Set-Aside 257,306 Committee, CO. Weld County......... 52,266 Connecticut....................... Fairfield Census/ 133,954 Bridgeport. Fairfield Census/ 40,769 Danbury. Fairfield Census/ 49,505 Norwalk. Fairfield Census/ 66,978 Stamford. Hartford Census 359,985 County. New Haven Census 336,131 County. New London Census 98,411 County. State Set-Aside 132,096 Committee, CT. Delaware.......................... Kent County......... 46,733 New Castle County... 158,934 State Set-Aside 20,902 Committee, DE. DC................................ District of Columbia 347,112 Florida........................... Alachua County...... 41,543 Baker County........ 6,652 Bay County.......... 60,724 Brevard County...... 179,018 Broward County...... 578,238 Citrus County....... 32,412 [[Page 15497]] Columbia County..... 16,829 Dade County......... 824,000 De Soto County...... 9,705 Duval County........ 196,521 Escambia County..... 77,310 Gadsden County...... 12,371 Gulf County......... 5,834 Hardee County....... 21,617 Hendry County....... 34,892 Highlands County.... 34,404 Hillsborough County. 300,580 Holmes County....... 7,454 Indian River County. 57,556 Jackson County...... 14,235 Lee County.......... 102,367 Leon County......... 51,277 Levy County......... 8,615 Manatee County...... 58,444 Marion County....... 66,329 Martin County....... 49,299 Miami City.......... 275,651 Nassau County....... 15,396 Okeechobee County... 23,782 Orange County....... 255,395 Osceola County...... 44,496 Palm Beach County... 462,309 Pinellas County..... 250,321 Polk County......... 197,797 Putnam County....... 22,062 Santa Rosa County... 27,796 Sarasota County..... 63,648 Seminole County..... 107,485 St Lucie County..... 133,360 State Set-Aside 214,011 Committee, FL. Sumter County....... 9,848 Suwannee County..... 8,830 Taylor County....... 10,579 Volusia County...... 113,133 Wakulla County...... 6,408 Walton County....... 10,078 Washington County... 8,357 Georgia........................... Appling County...... 9,404 Atlanta & Coll Pk/ 558,856 Clayton, Dekalb, Fulton Cos.. Baldwin County...... 10,694 Barrow County....... 13,360 Ben Hill County..... 6,838 Brantley County..... 5,820 Bulloch County...... 11,568 Burke County........ 18,908 Butts County........ 7,239 Carroll County...... 33,186 Catoosa County...... 15,324 Chatham County...... 75,604 Chattooga County.... 7,999 Clarke County....... 21,918 Cobb County......... 144,283 Coffee County....... 14,077 Colquitt County..... 10,479 Crisp County........ 9,361 Decatur County...... 10,708 Dodge County........ 9,676 Dougherty County.... 41,414 Effingham County.... 8,873 Elbert County....... 11,597 Emanuel County...... 12,113 Fannin County....... 7,927 Floyd County........ 34,103 Franklin County..... 7,913 Gilmer County....... 7,325 Glynn County........ 15,654 Grady County........ 6,178 Hancock County...... 6,250 Haralson County..... 12,486 Harris County....... 6,006 [[Page 15498]] Hart County......... 10,364 Houston County...... 26,491 Jackson County...... 14,350 Jefferson County.... 14,450 Johnson County...... 7,182 Laurens County...... 19,352 Lee County.......... 5,849 Liberty County...... 17,432 Lowndes County...... 20,700 Macon County........ 8,658 Macon/Bibb,Jones 60,480 Counties. Madison County...... 6,981 Mc Duffie County.... 9,605 Meriwether County... 8,400 Mitchell County..... 8,458 Monroe County....... 7,813 Muskogee County..... 67,017 Newton County....... 15,195 Peach County........ 11,239 Pickens County...... 5,920 Pierce County....... 6,150 Polk County......... 21,617 Richmond County..... 84,434 Screven County...... 9,031 Spalding County..... 19,654 State Set-Aside 311,970 Committee, GA. Stephens County..... 11,784 Sumter County....... 11,325 Telfair County...... 8,228 Terrell County...... 8,658 Thomas County....... 10,952 Tift County......... 15,783 Toombs County....... 12,572 Troup County........ 19,152 Upson County........ 10,436 Walker County....... 24,829 Walton County....... 14,536 Ware County......... 12,586 Washington County... 8,744 Wayne County........ 10,364 Worth County........ 8,443 Guam.............................. Guam................ 100,000 Hawaii............................ Hawaii County....... 90,713 Honolulu City/County 292,681 Kauai County........ 46,489 Maui County......... 67,476 Idaho............................. Bannock County...... 27,968 Benewah County...... 6,279 Bingham County...... 16,442 Bonner County....... 19,854 Canyon County....... 44,410 Cassia County....... 8,587 Clearwater County... 7,082 Elmore County....... 7,512 Gem County.......... 6,422 Idaho County........ 10,364 Jefferson County.... 6,795 Kootenai County..... 53,657 Latah County........ 6,981 Minidoka County..... 10,436 Nez Perce County.... 12,085 Payette County...... 9,691 Shoshone County..... 9,361 State Set-Aside 80,239 Committee, ID. Twin Falls County... 20,858 Illinois.......................... Adams County........ 23,911 Bond County......... 6,967 Carroll County...... 8,716 Cass County......... 5,978 Champaign County.... 40,296 Chicago City........ 1,254,098 Christian County.... 18,449 Clark County........ 6,293 Clay County......... 5,978 [[Page 15499]] Coles County........ 17,217 Cook County......... 837,016 Crawford County..... 10,680 DeKalb County....... 27,323 Edgar County........ 6,981 Fayette County...... 8,587 Franklin County..... 27,093 Fulton County....... 18,464 Greene County....... 6,264 Grundy County....... 17,518 Hancock County...... 7,426 Jackson County...... 22,449 Jefferson County.... 19,453 Johnson County...... 5,978 Kane County......... 136,815 Kankakee County..... 44,654 Knox County......... 21,603 La Salle County..... 62,387 Lake County......... 170,631 Lawrence County..... 10,393 Macon County........ 66,028 Macoupin County..... 21,216 Madison County...... 103,729 Marion County....... 24,470 Mason County........ 9,490 Massac County....... 6,006 Mc Donough County... 6,695 McLean County....... 35,981 Montgomery County... 16,772 Peoria County....... 78,356 Perry County........ 14,192 Pike County......... 7,067 Randolph County..... 18,879 Richland County..... 6,494 Rock Island County.. 50,216 Saline County....... 15,912 Sangamon County..... 63,433 St. Clair County.... 99,185 State Set-Aside 304,394 Committee, IL. Stephenson County... 18,091 Tazewell County..... 54,488 Union County........ 10,149 Vermilion County.... 46,245 Wabash County....... 5,963 Warren County....... 6,594 Wayne County........ 7,483 White County........ 7,784 Will County......... 154,261 Williamson County... 34,017 Winnebago County.... 93,623 Indiana........................... Clay County......... 12,300 Crawford County..... 6,809 Daviess County...... 8,873 Delaware County..... 45,457 Elkhart County...... 56,552 Fayette County...... 14,722 Floyd County........ 21,488 Gary City........... 86,885 Grant County........ 34,146 Greene County....... 19,510 Henry County........ 19,252 Howard County....... 25,373 Jennings County..... 6,551 Knox County......... 14,608 La Porte County..... 44,267 Lake County......... 122,752 Lawrence County..... 25,789 Madison County...... 48,195 Marion County....... 263,222 Monroe County....... 26,262 Orange County....... 13,633 Owen County......... 7,354 Parke County........ 6,150 Perry County........ 10,250 [[Page 15500]] Pike County......... 6,307 Randolph County..... 13,260 Scott County........ 8,443 St. Joseph County... 82,614 Starke County....... 10,235 State Set-Aside 346,238 Committee, IN. Sullivan County..... 12,988 Tippecanoe County... 29,072 Vanderburgh County.. 59,649 Vermillion County... 9,691 Vigo County......... 50,359 Washington County... 12,601 Wayne County........ 29,373 Iowa.............................. Blackhawk County.... 40,669 Buchanan County..... 6,953 Clayton County...... 8,802 Clinton County...... 18,593 Delaware County..... 7,139 Des Moines County... 14,450 Fayette County...... 6,594 Floyd County........ 6,193 Jackson County...... 8,988 Johnson County...... 25,158 Lee County.......... 15,023 Polk County......... 74,701 Pottawattamie County 20,112 Scott County........ 41,414 State Set-Aside 190,329 Committee, IA. Story County........ 17,360 Wapello County...... 13,002 Webster County...... 10,551 Winneshiek County... 7,813 Woodbury County..... 26,850 Kansas............................ Allen County........ 6,178 Atchison County..... 8,343 Barton County....... 8,716 Cherokee County..... 10,178 Crawford County..... 12,601 Douglas County...... 32,713 Ellis County........ 6,623 Ford County......... 7,698 Franklin County..... 9,132 Geary County........ 8,644 Labette County...... 8,558 Lyon County......... 11,626 Manhattan/ 21,130 Pottawatamie, Riley. Montgomery County... 16,170 Reno County......... 17,561 Saline County....... 16,256 Sedgwick County..... 134,335 Seward County....... 6,508 Shawnee County...... 55,162 State Set-Aside 144,256 Committee, KS. Wyandotte County.... 81,667 Kentucky.......................... Adair County........ 8,701 Barren County....... 15,812 Bell County......... 10,751 Boyd County......... 23,051 Boyle County........ 8,357 Breathitt County.... 7,856 Breckinridge County. 7,110 Butler County....... 5,748 Caldwell County..... 8,085 Calloway County..... 9,891 Carter County....... 19,768 Christian County.... 16,915 Clark County........ 8,845 Clay County......... 8,816 Daviess County...... 38,863 Elliott County...... 6,049 Fayette County...... 46,675 Floyd County........ 22,033 Franklin County..... 11,511 Grant County........ 6,551 [[Page 15501]] Graves County....... 17,403 Grayson County...... 10,579 Green County........ 6,365 Greenup County...... 15,711 Hardin County....... 27,151 Harlan County....... 21,904 Hart County......... 7,368 Henderson County.... 22,047 Hopkins County...... 20,829 Jefferson County.... 225,191 Jessamine County.... 6,350 Johnson County...... 13,088 Kenton County....... 44,410 Knott County........ 9,002 Knox County......... 10,751 Laurel County....... 18,736 Lawrence County..... 9,648 Letcher County...... 13,303 Lewis County........ 8,787 Lincoln County...... 6,953 Logan County........ 8,859 Madison County...... 18,378 Magoffin County..... 10,121 Marion County....... 8,830 Marshall County..... 10,680 Martin County....... 6,508 Mason County........ 6,350 McCreary County..... 9,103 McCracken County.... 19,094 Meade County........ 6,910 Montgomery County... 9,533 Morgan County....... 7,010 Muhlenberg County... 14,694 Nelson County....... 18,492 Ohio County......... 12,586 Perry County........ 17,288 Pike County......... 35,709 Powell County....... 6,494 Pulaski County...... 19,496 Rockcastle County... 5,877 Rowan County........ 7,913 Russell County...... 10,536 Scott County........ 5,892 Shelby County....... 6,336 Simpson County...... 6,150 State Set-Aside 116,982 Committee, KY. Taylor County....... 8,271 Union County........ 6,193 Warren County....... 34,247 Wayne County........ 7,626 Webster County...... 6,264 Whitley County...... 13,977 Louisiana......................... Acadia Parish....... 26,477 Allen Parish........ 10,794 Ascension Parish.... 28,885 Assumption Parish... 10,192 Avoyelles Parish.... 19,840 Beauregard Parish... 13,332 Bienville Parish.... 8,687 Calcasieu Parish.... 72,235 Caldwell Parish..... 6,322 Catahoula Parish.... 8,013 Claiborne Parish.... 7,655 Concordia Parish.... 13,805 De Soto Parish...... 14,565 East Baton Rouge 150,892 Parish. East Carroll Parish. 7,970 East Feliciana 8,157 Parish. Evangeline Parish... 11,984 Franklin Parish..... 13,547 Grant Parish........ 9,189 Iberia Parish....... 27,810 Iberville Parish.... 17,145 Jefferson Davis 12,515 Parish. [[Page 15502]] Jefferson Parish.... 174,688 Lafayette Parish.... 61,225 Lafourche Parish.... 24,986 Lincoln Parish...... 8,501 Livingston Parish... 41,357 Madison Parish...... 10,465 Morehouse Parish.... 17,948 Natchitoches Parish. 19,467 New Orleans City/ 222,467 Orleans. Ouachita Parish..... 56,925 Plaquemines Parish.. 8,544 Pointe Coupee Parish 11,784 Rapides Parish...... 53,728 Red River Parish.... 6,479 Richland Parish..... 12,529 Sabine Parish....... 8,902 Shreveport/Bossier, 154,246 Caddo. St Bernard Parish... 31,136 St Charles Parish... 19,037 St James Parish..... 13,117 St John Baptist 21,918 Parish. St Landry Parish.... 36,411 St Martin Parish.... 19,912 St Mary Parish...... 27,710 St Tammany Parish... 55,463 State Set-Aside 12,279 Committee, LA. Tangipahoa Parish... 53,857 Terrebonne Parish... 32,756 Union Parish........ 9,820 Vermilion Parish.... 19,209 Vernon Parish....... 16,643 Washington Parish... 20,370 Webster Parish...... 26,377 West Baton Rouge 9,390 Parish. West Carroll Parish. 11,425 Winn Parish......... 6,738 Maine............................. Androscoggin County. 48,209 Aroostook County.... 52,538 Cumberland County... 63,490 Franklin County..... 14,120 Kennebec County..... 52,538 Knox County......... 11,497 Oxford County....... 25,416 Penobscot County.... 62,014 Piscataquis County.. 9,605 Somerset County..... 31,781 State Set-Aside 45,056 Committee, ME. Waldo County........ 17,718 Washington County... 22,979 Maryland.......................... Allegany County..... 41,801 Anne Arundel County. 143,739 Baltimore City...... 378,319 Baltimore County.... 295,591 Caroline County..... 13,260 Cecil County........ 49,026 Dorchester County... 24,126 Garrett County...... 20,399 Kent County......... 11,898 Prince Georges 304,078 County. Somerset County..... 16,930 State Set-Aside 272,531 Committee, MD. Washington County... 56,911 Worcester County.... 33,043 Massachusetts..................... Barnstable County... 98,569 Berkshire County.... 53,972 Bristol County...... 306,386 Essex County........ 257,058 Franklin County..... 23,854 Hampden County...... 182,472 Middlesex County.... 440,821 Plymouth County..... 192,679 State Set-Aside 121,678 Committee, MA. Suffolk County...... 256,012 Worcester County.... 262,047 [[Page 15503]] Michigan.......................... Alcona County....... 6,393 Alpena County....... 20,657 Antrim County....... 9,777 Arenac County....... 8,859 Bay County.......... 41,988 Benzie County....... 7,598 Berrien County...... 64,222 Branch County....... 14,364 Calhoun County...... 47,636 Cass County......... 18,808 Charlevoix County... 13,260 Cheboygan County.... 19,611 Chippewa County..... 21,660 Clare County........ 13,776 Crawford County..... 5,791 Delta County........ 21,947 Detroit City........ 513,486 Emmet County........ 22,220 Genesee County...... 185,354 Gladwin County...... 10,135 Gogebic County...... 13,317 Gratiot County...... 18,034 Hillsdale County.... 14,751 Holland/Allegan, 81,581 Ottawa Cos.. Houghton County..... 16,686 Huron County........ 17,747 Iosco County........ 13,647 Iron County......... 6,824 Isabella County..... 16,973 Jackson County...... 53,112 Kalamazoo County.... 59,190 Kalkaska County..... 8,271 Kent County......... 160,353 Lansing/Eaton, 104,489 Ingham Counties. Mackinac County..... 11,167 Manistee County..... 15,955 Marquette County.... 32,125 Mason County........ 18,163 Mecosta County...... 12,357 Menominee County.... 11,669 Missaukee County.... 6,580 Montcalm County..... 24,570 Montmorency County.. 6,465 Muskegon County..... 70,128 Newaygo County...... 27,050 Oakland County...... 304,035 Oceana County....... 19,826 Ogemaw County....... 11,611 Ontonagon County.... 8,142 Osceola County...... 10,880 Presque Isle County. 12,887 Roscommon County.... 10,923 Saginaw County...... 76,421 Sanilac County...... 20,958 Schoolcraft County.. 7,024 St. Clair County.... 60,165 State Set-Aside 288,492 Committee, MI. Tuscola County...... 27,524 Van Buren County.... 32,569 Washtenaw County.... 56,280 Wayne County........ 231,011 Wexford County...... 18,378 Minnesota......................... Aitkin County....... 7,196 Becker County....... 13,661 Beltrami County..... 16,872 Blue Earth County... 14,651 Carlton County...... 14,149 Cass County......... 13,289 Clay County......... 15,439 Clearwater County... 7,813 Cottonwood County... 6,236 Crow Wing County.... 22,263 Douglas County...... 9,719 Faribault County.... 5,806 [[Page 15504]] Fillmore County..... 6,609 Hennepin County..... 248,988 Hubbard County...... 7,727 Itasca County....... 25,044 Kanabec County...... 8,630 Kandiyohi County.... 10,909 Koochiching County.. 7,096 Lyon County......... 6,738 Marshall County..... 6,766 Martin County....... 7,698 Mille Lacs County... 10,379 Morrison County..... 15,955 Otter Tail County... 20,141 Pennington County... 6,494 Pine County......... 12,572 Polk County......... 12,529 Ramsey County....... 113,993 Renville County..... 5,877 StCloud/Benton, 71,504 Sherburne, Stearns. St. Louis County.... 75,976 State Set-Aside 225,887 Committee, MN. Todd County......... 10,035 Winona County....... 14,292 Mississippi....................... Adams County........ 14,579 Alcorn County....... 21,374 Attala County....... 10,149 Bolivar County...... 23,137 Chickasaw County.... 13,891 Clarke County....... 7,196 Clay County......... 13,145 Coahoma County...... 18,421 Copiah County....... 12,042 Covington County.... 7,927 George County....... 11,712 Greene County....... 6,107 Grenada County...... 10,680 Hancock County...... 14,134 Harrison County..... 62,702 Hattiesburg/Forrest, 29,860 Lamar Cos.. Hinds County........ 80,420 Holmes County....... 12,615 Humphreys County.... 7,440 Itawamba County..... 9,447 Jackson County...... 52,366 Jasper County....... 5,978 Jefferson County.... 5,820 Jefferson Davis 10,680 County. Jones County........ 16,686 Lafayette County.... 6,852 Lauderdale County... 27,954 Lawrence County..... 5,877 Leake County........ 7,182 Lee County.......... 25,531 Leflore County...... 20,600 Lincoln County...... 10,837 Lowndes County...... 24,155 Madison County...... 17,303 Marion County....... 10,106 Marshall County..... 18,707 Monroe County....... 27,982 Neshoba County...... 8,859 Newton County....... 8,415 Noxubee County...... 6,365 Oktibbeha County.... 8,372 Panola County....... 25,975 Pearl River County.. 12,916 Pike County......... 12,572 Pontotoc County..... 10,264 Prentiss County..... 14,249 Quitman County...... 7,870 Scott County........ 10,938 Sharkey County...... 7,827 Simpson County...... 10,809 State Set-Aside 53,913 Committee, MS. [[Page 15505]] Sunflower County.... 18,421 Tallahatchie County. 9,461 Tate County......... 9,375 Tippah County....... 9,662 Tishomingo County... 11,697 Tunica County....... 7,340 Union County........ 12,300 Warren County....... 21,832 Washington County... 42,518 Wayne County........ 7,698 Wilkinson County.... 6,637 Winston County...... 7,784 Yalobusha County.... 5,777 Yazoo County........ 11,482 Missouri.......................... Audrain County...... 7,053 Barry County........ 10,321 Bates County........ 5,892 Boone County........ 17,890 Buchanan County..... 38,304 Butler County....... 16,084 Camden County....... 13,733 Cape Girardeau 18,865 County. Crawford County..... 11,052 Douglas County...... 8,228 Dunklin County...... 13,188 Greene County....... 53,642 Henry County........ 8,601 Howell County....... 14,550 Johnson County...... 8,085 Joplin/Jasper, 44,711 Newton Counties. Kansas City/ 293,326 Clay,Jackson,Platte. Laclede County...... 14,894 Lafayette County.... 9,060 Lawrence County..... 10,565 Lincoln County...... 10,751 Linn County......... 8,486 Macon County........ 5,935 Marion County....... 9,877 Miller County....... 10,221 Mississippi County.. 6,752 Morgan County....... 6,537 New Madrid County... 8,429 Pemiscot County..... 10,794 Pettis County....... 14,493 Phelps County....... 9,504 Pike County......... 6,494 Polk County......... 7,225 Pulaski County...... 10,766 Randolph County..... 8,128 Ripley County....... 6,279 Saline County....... 6,838 Scott County........ 15,654 St. Francois County. 22,320 St. Louis City...... 168,051 St. Louis County.... 266,304 State Set-Aside 175,751 Committee, MO. Ste. Genevieve 6,078 County. Stoddard County..... 17,690 Stone County........ 19,137 Taney County........ 30,692 Texas County........ 13,891 Washington County... 11,683 Wayne County........ 7,239 Webster County...... 7,913 Wright County....... 12,271 Montana........................... Big Horn County..... 8,028 Cascade County...... 27,438 Flathead County..... 41,830 Gallatin County..... 14,292 Glacier County...... 11,611 Hill County......... 7,483 Lake County......... 11,669 Lewis and Clark 20,055 County. Lincoln County...... 13,819 [[Page 15506]] Missoula County..... 34,935 Park County......... 6,910 Ravalli County...... 13,446 Roosevelt County.... 6,293 Rosebud County...... 7,942 Sanders County...... 8,429 Silver Bow County... 14,823 State Set-Aside 33,950 Committee, MT. Yellowstone County.. 46,618 Nebraska.......................... Buffalo County...... 9,332 Douglas County...... 101,049 Lincoln County...... 10,364 Scotts Bluff County. 13,045 State Set-Aside 104,961 Committee, NE. Nevada............................ Carson City......... 22,492 Churchill County.... 8,343 Clark County........ 394,231 Lyon County......... 11,884 State Set-Aside 78,180 Committee, NV. New Hampshire..................... State Set-Aside 160,414 Committee, NH. New Jersey........................ Atlantic County..... 151,594 Bergen County....... 347,943 Burlington County... 152,541 Camden County....... 229,234 Cape May County..... 78,399 Cumberland County... 91,946 Essex County........ 199,359 Gloucester County... 118,910 Hudson County....... 382,606 Mercer County....... 138,277 Middlesex County.... 299,505 Monmouth County..... 234,867 Newark City......... 212,791 Ocean County........ 181,899 Passaic County...... 282,159 State Set-Aside 184,931 Committee, NJ. Union County........ 247,611 New Mexico........................ Bernalillo County... 171,219 Chaves County....... 28,470 Cibola County....... 17,446 Colfax County....... 9,261 Curry County........ 15,668 Dona Ana County..... 81,639 Eddy County......... 24,069 Grant County........ 12,328 Lea County.......... 19,711 Lincoln County...... 8,443 Luna County......... 37,114 McKinley County..... 29,631 Otero County........ 21,044 Rio Arriba County... 33,702 Roosevelt County.... 6,393 San Juan County..... 72,479 San Miguel County... 17,446 Sandoval County..... 23,624 Santa Fe County..... 41,085 Socorro County...... 7,239 State Set-Aside 11,894 Committee, NM. Taos County......... 28,570 Torrance County..... 5,849 Valencia County..... 16,485 New York.......................... Albany County....... 91,473 Allegany County..... 25,760 Broome County....... 66,515 Cattaraugus County.. 42,547 Cayuga County....... 33,157 Chautauqua County... 54,144 Chemung County...... 28,312 Chenango County..... 24,140 Clinton County...... 40,282 Cortland County..... 22,148 Delaware County..... 16,055 Dutchess County..... 75,847 Erie County......... 339,901 [[Page 15507]] Essex County........ 22,463 Franklin County..... 26,061 Fulton County....... 32,555 Greene County....... 21,746 Herkimer County..... 31,824 Jefferson County.... 54,517 Lewis County........ 14,378 Monroe County....... 196,908 Montgomery County... 30,176 Nassau County....... 410,645 New York City....... 3,852,175 Niagara County...... 95,974 Oneida County....... 81,338 Onondaga County..... 147,810 Orange County....... 102,955 Orleans County...... 22,105 Oswego County....... 68,250 Otsego County....... 23,768 Rensselaer County... 61,197 Schenectady County.. 55,563 St. Lawrence County. 61,254 State Set-Aside 235,865 Committee, NY. Steuben County...... 44,969 Suffolk County...... 511,765 Sullivan County..... 29,588 Tompkins County..... 23,123 Warren County....... 32,641 Westchester County.. 271,666 Wyoming County...... 20,671 Yates County........ 8,243 North Carolina.................... Alleghany County.... 5,906 Anson County........ 13,231 Ashe County......... 16,170 Avery County........ 6,021 Beaufort County..... 25,259 Bertie County....... 8,888 Bladen County....... 16,442 Brunswick County.... 31,853 Buncombe County..... 48,180 Caswell County...... 6,150 Cherokee County..... 9,762 Chowan County....... 5,763 Cleveland County.... 45,213 Columbus County..... 26,835 Craven County....... 24,814 Cumberland County... 77,625 Duplin County....... 16,887 Durham County....... 44,984 Forsyth County...... 69,726 Franklin County..... 11,611 Gaston County....... 71,590 Graham County....... 7,899 Granville County.... 12,959 Halifax County...... 32,541 Harnett County...... 18,335 Haywood County...... 18,191 Hertford County..... 7,784 High Pt City/ 168,911 Davidson, Guilford. Hoke County......... 9,418 Jackson County...... 12,529 Johnston County..... 20,127 Kannapolis/Cabarrus, 61,340 Rowan Cos. Lee County.......... 18,134 Lenoir County....... 28,627 Macon County........ 7,311 Madison County...... 6,150 Martin County....... 14,579 Mitchell County..... 6,350 Montgomery County... 11,870 New Hanover County.. 50,474 Northampton County.. 8,902 Onslow County....... 22,951 Orange County....... 15,367 Pasquotank County... 10,336 [[Page 15508]] Pender County....... 11,153 Person County....... 14,106 Pitt County......... 43,335 Richmond County..... 30,563 Robeson County...... 73,310 Rockingham County... 31,781 Rocky Mount/ 74,514 Edgecombe, Nash. Rutherford County... 29,616 Sampson County...... 20,585 Scotland County..... 17,417 State Set-Aside 268,288 Committee, NC. Swain County........ 14,708 Vance County........ 22,392 Wake County......... 94,884 Warren County....... 10,121 Washington County... 7,970 Watauga County...... 10,407 Wayne County........ 35,322 Wilkes County....... 25,402 Wilson County....... 43,966 Yadkin County....... 9,748 North Dakota...................... Cass County......... 17,260 Grand Forks County.. 13,934 Morton County....... 7,383 Rolette County...... 8,730 State Set-Aside 90,307 Committee, ND. Ward County......... 12,386 Northern Marianas................. No. Mariana Islands. 65,000 Ohio.............................. Adams County........ 21,316 Allen County........ 46,073 Ashtabula County.... 46,102 Athens County....... 22,263 Belmont County...... 30,004 Brown County........ 17,217 Butler County....... 100,633 Carroll County...... 10,336 Clark County........ 49,700 Clinton County...... 13,991 Columbiana County... 45,701 Columbus/Fairfield, 274,963 Franklin Cos.. Coshocton County.... 15,568 Cuyahoga County..... 490,807 Erie County......... 32,197 Fayette County...... 12,228 Gallia County....... 18,378 Greene County....... 38,949 Guernsey County..... 22,879 Hamilton County..... 266,161 Hardin County....... 11,454 Harrison County..... 7,913 Highland County..... 15,898 Hocking County...... 13,461 Holmes County....... 9,203 Huron County........ 40,597 Jackson County...... 15,482 Jefferson County.... 33,043 Knox County......... 21,445 Lawrence County..... 26,592 Licking County...... 38,418 Lorain County....... 129,762 Lucas County........ 166,919 Mahoning County..... 118,609 Marion County....... 31,838 Meigs County........ 14,192 Mercer County....... 29,803 Monroe County....... 9,590 Montgomery County... 176,839 Morgan County....... 10,923 Morrow County....... 13,790 Muskingum County.... 51,836 Noble County........ 5,992 Perry County........ 19,424 Pickaway County..... 13,332 Pike County......... 15,009 [[Page 15509]] Portage County...... 51,750 Richland County..... 55,692 Ross County......... 28,900 Scioto County....... 48,725 Stark County........ 144,685 State Set-Aside 322,462 Committee, OH. Summit County....... 186,113 Trumbull County..... 111,212 Vinton County....... 6,436 Washington County... 31,036 Wayne County........ 33,931 Wood County......... 34,892 Oklahoma.......................... Adair County........ 8,028 Beckham County...... 6,422 Bryan County........ 8,271 Caddo County........ 8,243 Carter County....... 17,432 Cherokee County..... 12,672 Choctaw County...... 9,132 Cleveland County.... 40,095 Comanche County..... 30,118 Creek County........ 21,173 Custer County....... 7,110 Delaware County..... 9,676 Garfield County..... 14,923 Garvin County....... 8,615 Grady County........ 16,213 Haskell County...... 7,096 Hughes County....... 6,938 Jackson County...... 8,501 Kay County.......... 21,288 Latimer County...... 6,049 Le Flore County..... 20,370 Lincoln County...... 9,906 Logan County........ 6,824 Mayes County........ 10,751 McCurtain County.... 20,671 McIntosh County..... 8,787 Muskogee County..... 26,276 OK City/Canadian, 201,237 McLain, Oklahoma. Okmulgee County..... 20,370 Osage County........ 10,450 Ottawa County....... 13,389 Pawnee County....... 6,566 Payne County........ 9,791 Pittsburg County.... 19,797 Pontotoc County..... 16,414 Pottawatomie County. 19,697 Seminole County..... 12,701 Sequoyah County..... 16,600 State Set-Aside 52,273 Committee, OK. Stephens County..... 13,833 Tulsa County........ 146,534 Wagoner County...... 13,504 Woodward County..... 6,393 Oregon............................ Baker County........ 9,949 Benton County....... 13,991 Clatsop County...... 13,088 Coos County......... 30,835 Crook County........ 10,035 Curry County........ 9,261 Deschutes County.... 53,212 Douglas County...... 48,209 Grant County........ 6,350 Harney County....... 5,963 Hood River County... 13,217 Jackson County...... 84,950 Jefferson County.... 7,641 Josephine County.... 35,480 Klamath County...... 30,262 Lane County......... 112,617 Lincoln County...... 19,352 [[Page 15510]] Linn County......... 44,840 Malheur County...... 15,310 Portland/Clackamas/ 412,824 Multnomah, Washington Cos. Salem/Marion,Polk 112,044 Cos. State Set-Aside 15,644 Committee, OR. Tillamook County.... 8,429 Umatilla County..... 34,060 Union County........ 11,654 Wasco County........ 12,185 Yamhill County...... 22,822 Pennsylvania...................... Allegheny County.... 465,377 Armstrong County.... 40,110 Beaver County....... 70,472 Bedford County...... 28,097 Berks County........ 120,860 Bethlehem/Lehigh, 219,457 Northampton Cos. Blair County........ 55,119 Bradford County..... 23,940 Cambria County...... 86,470 Carbon County....... 30,376 Centre County....... 29,387 Clarion County...... 21,058 Clearfield County... 48,969 Clinton County...... 22,836 Columbia County..... 36,311 Crawford County..... 36,870 Dauphin County...... 74,557 Delaware County..... 209,394 Erie County......... 126,321 Fayette County...... 72,593 Greene County....... 22,062 Huntingdon County... 28,613 Indiana County...... 48,496 Jefferson County.... 25,345 Juniata County...... 14,005 Lackawanna County... 109,320 Lancaster County.... 119,656 Lawrence County..... 39,164 Lebanon County...... 37,931 Luzerne County...... 187,920 Lycoming County..... 57,455 McKean County....... 19,969 Mercer County....... 37,988 Mifflin County...... 26,348 Monroe County....... 60,193 Northumberland 45,184 County. Philadelphia City/ 694,955 County. Potter County....... 9,246 Schuylkill County... 84,076 Somerset County..... 44,224 State Set-Aside 480,337 Committee, PA. Susquehanna County.. 20,055 Tioga County........ 21,689 Venango County...... 26,778 Washington County... 84,448 Wayne County........ 24,398 Wyoming County...... 16,772 York County......... 122,193 Puerto Rico....................... Puerto Rico......... 2,137,646 Rhode Island...................... Providence Census 266,648 County. State Set-Aside 131,778 Committee, RI. South Carolina.................... Abbeville County.... 10,665 Aiken County........ 65,239 Allendale County.... 6,035 Anderson County..... 47,277 Bamberg County...... 9,963 Barnwell County..... 17,374 Beaufort County..... 18,722 Berkeley County..... 33,243 Calhoun County...... 5,949 Charleston County... 109,736 Cherokee County..... 18,722 Chester County...... 21,101 Chesterfield County. 23,065 [[Page 15511]] Clarendon County.... 13,919 Colleton County..... 13,747 Darlington County... 40,497 Dillon County....... 23,682 Edgefield County.... 11,626 Fairfield County.... 12,443 Florence County..... 61,240 Georgetown County... 34,920 Greenville County... 68,235 Greenwood County.... 27,882 Hampton County...... 7,999 Horry County........ 63,161 Kershaw County...... 19,539 Lancaster County.... 22,879 Laurens County...... 18,693 Lee County.......... 9,633 Marion County....... 29,043 Marlboro County..... 23,553 Newberry County..... 15,023 Orangeburg County... 51,951 Pickens County...... 36,153 Richland County..... 76,908 Saluda County....... 7,024 Spartanburg County.. 72,278 State Set-Aside 51,773 Committee, SC. Sumter County....... 37,845 Union County........ 19,367 Williamsburg County. 36,870 York County......... 47,965 South Dakota...................... Brown County........ 5,849 Lawrence County..... 5,791 Pennington County... 19,324 Shannon County...... 6,164 State Set-Aside 112,872 Committee, SD. Tennessee......................... Anderson County..... 23,352 Bedford County...... 15,740 Benton County....... 10,235 Blount County....... 36,383 Bradley County...... 31,093 Campbell County..... 21,474 Carroll County...... 17,704 Carter County....... 19,869 Claiborne County.... 9,705 Cocke County........ 26,334 Coffee County....... 17,819 Crockett County..... 7,641 Cumberland County... 18,693 Davidson County..... 140,212 De Kalb County...... 9,877 Decatur County...... 8,845 Dickson County...... 12,386 Dyer County......... 17,604 Fayette County...... 9,390 Fentress County..... 10,293 Franklin County..... 19,611 Gibson County....... 27,337 Giles County........ 14,350 Grainger County..... 9,246 Greene County....... 43,034 Grundy County....... 7,641 Hamblen County...... 25,273 Hamilton County..... 100,504 Hardeman County..... 11,970 Hardin County....... 14,378 Hawkins County...... 18,249 Haywood County...... 15,439 Henderson County.... 20,198 Henry County........ 13,375 Hickman County...... 5,935 Houston County...... 6,451 Humphreys County.... 12,228 Jefferson County.... 18,965 Johnson County...... 18,765 Knox County......... 97,078 [[Page 15512]] Lauderdale County... 12,371 Lawrence County..... 38,304 Lewis County........ 9,547 Lincoln County...... 19,381 Loudon County....... 10,981 Macon County........ 11,411 Madison County...... 34,447 Marion County....... 11,024 Marshall County..... 9,318 Maury County........ 27,050 Mc Minn County...... 31,967 Mc Nairy County..... 15,525 Meigs County........ 7,211 Monroe County....... 27,366 Montgomery County... 29,387 Morgan County....... 8,228 Obion County........ 15,511 Overton County...... 9,261 Polk County......... 7,841 Putnam County....... 21,073 Rhea County......... 19,023 Roane County........ 22,707 Rutherford County... 42,317 Scott County........ 13,403 Sevier County....... 42,504 Shelby County....... 288,610 Smith County........ 7,067 State Set-Aside 70,491 Committee, TN. Stewart County...... 8,243 Sullivan County..... 48,123 Tipton County....... 16,113 Unicoi County....... 7,841 Warren County....... 17,690 Washington County... 29,617 Wayne County........ 12,558 Weakley County...... 10,966 White County........ 11,167 Texas............................. Abilene/Jones, 51,005 Taylor Cos.. Amarillo/Potter, 63,677 Randall Cos. Anderson County..... 16,399 Angelina County..... 26,405 Aransas County...... 7,268 Atascosa County..... 10,966 Austin County....... 5,992 Austin/Travis, 229,334 Williamson Cos. Bastrop County...... 10,336 Bee County.......... 12,543 Bell County......... 67,146 Bexar County........ 438,943 Bowie County........ 47,707 Brazoria County..... 108,904 Brazos County....... 27,853 Brooks County....... 6,035 Brown County........ 16,356 Burnet County....... 7,282 Caldwell County..... 7,583 Calhoun County...... 11,540 Cameron County...... 232,488 Camp County......... 6,178 Cass County......... 20,356 Chambers County..... 8,257 Cherokee County..... 15,511 Comal County........ 17,388 Cooke County........ 10,809 Coryell County...... 15,066 Dallas/Collin, 1,008,665 Dallas, Denton Cos.. Dawson County....... 6,422 De Witt County...... 6,135 Deaf Smith County... 9,433 Dimmit County....... 8,472 Duval County........ 9,433 Eastland County..... 6,336 Ector County........ 64,078 El Paso County...... 478,580 [[Page 15513]] Ellis County........ 33,501 Erath County........ 6,623 Fannin County....... 11,870 Freestone County.... 6,221 Frio County......... 10,192 Galveston County.... 143,739 Gray County......... 7,684 Grayson County...... 36,985 Grimes County....... 7,325 Guadalupe County.... 17,905 Hale County......... 17,389 Hardin County....... 27,724 Hays County......... 19,625 Henderson County.... 23,381 Hidalgo County...... 549,496 Hill County......... 9,332 Hockley County...... 9,533 Hopkins County...... 13,790 Houston/Fort Bend, 1,499,817 Harris Cos.. Howard County....... 8,400 Hunt County......... 30,419 Hutchinson County... 11,941 Jasper County....... 28,068 Jefferson County.... 159,780 Jim Wells County.... 23,983 Kaufman County...... 18,263 Kerr County......... 6,924 Kleberg County...... 14,335 Lamar County........ 22,220 Lamb County......... 6,307 Liberty County...... 31,824 Limestone County.... 8,200 Longview/Gregg, 101,350 Harrison Cos.. Lubbock County...... 73,496 Marion County....... 6,738 Matagorda County.... 35,422 Maverick County..... 84,004 Mc Lennan County.... 67,891 Medina County....... 7,827 Midland County...... 41,601 Milam County........ 8,200 Montague County..... 6,250 Montgomery County... 74,357 Morris County....... 7,698 Nacogdoches County.. 20,600 Navarro County...... 17,804 Newton County....... 10,264 Nolan County........ 8,228 Nueces County....... 187,246 Orange County....... 71,002 Palo Pinto County... 16,342 Panola County....... 13,203 Pecos County........ 6,293 Polk County......... 11,827 Presidio County..... 18,263 Red River County.... 6,537 Reeves County....... 11,081 Robertson County.... 6,006 Rusk County......... 20,901 San Patricio County. 38,562 Shelby County....... 9,934 Smith County........ 79,116 Starr County........ 94,053 State Set-Aside 167,186 Committee, TX. Tarrant County...... 471,613 Titus County........ 14,407 Tom Green County.... 29,459 Tyler County........ 10,121 Upshur County....... 15,783 Uvalde County....... 18,048 Val Verde County.... 30,018 Van Zandt County.... 11,396 Victoria County..... 34,447 Walker County....... 8,314 [[Page 15514]] Waller County....... 8,630 Washington County... 6,365 Webb County......... 152,383 Wharton County...... 18,621 Wichita County...... 41,228 Willacy County...... 24,398 Wise County......... 11,927 Wood County......... 12,027 Young County........ 9,074 Zapata County....... 6,236 Zavala County....... 15,912 Trust Territory................... Trust Territories... 45,000 Utah.............................. Cache County........ 16,987 Carbon County....... 7,813 Duchesne County..... 6,924 Iron County......... 6,594 Salt Lake County.... 180,308 San Juan County..... 6,264 Sanpete County...... 6,594 State Set-Aside 50,238 Committee, UT. Uintah County....... 9,977 Utah County......... 57,326 Washington County... 15,482 Weber County........ 52,137 Vermont........................... Caledonia County.... 12,558 Chittenden County... 33,086 Orleans County...... 14,808 Rutland County...... 21,431 State Set-Aside 68,117 Committee, VT. Virgin Islands.................... Virgin Islands...... 140,000 Virginia.......................... Accomack County..... 18,249 Bristol City........ 7,211 Brunswick County.... 6,566 Buchanan County..... 17,919 Caroline County..... 11,325 Carroll County...... 12,443 Charlotte County.... 7,426 Charlottesville City 8,099 Danville City....... 31,208 Dickenson County.... 16,743 Fredericksburg City. 6,379 Giles County........ 8,644 Grayson County...... 7,784 Halifax County...... 24,284 Harrisonburg City... 5,920 Henry County........ 34,433 Hopewell City....... 9,060 Isle of Wight County 10,307 Lancaster County.... 9,820 Lee County.......... 19,983 Louisa County....... 14,608 Lunenburg County.... 7,268 Lynchburg City...... 16,772 Martinsville City... 10,121 Mecklenburg County.. 18,836 Montgomery County... 17,847 Newport News City... 63,046 Norfolk City........ 79,747 Northampton County.. 7,125 Northumberland 9,390 County. Page County......... 12,242 Patrick County...... 9,117 Petersburg City..... 19,166 Pittsylvania County. 35,322 Portsmouth City..... 48,066 Prince Edward County 7,096 Pulaski County...... 18,965 Richmond City....... 74,443 Roanoke City........ 26,807 Rockbridge County... 6,451 Russell County...... 22,320 Scott County........ 13,446 Smyth County........ 24,556 State Set-Aside 560,516 Committee, VA. [[Page 15515]] Staunton City....... 7,067 Suffolk City........ 24,298 Tazewell County..... 26,391 Washington County... 31,222 Westmoreland County. 9,963 Williamsburg City... 6,221 Wise County......... 43,923 Wythe County........ 15,797 Washington........................ Adams County........ 13,676 Asotin County....... 7,024 Benton County....... 81,409 Chelan County....... 50,001 Clallam County...... 30,004 Clark County........ 89,767 Cowlitz County...... 45,543 Douglas County...... 20,356 Franklin County..... 35,207 Grant County........ 47,564 Grays Harbor County. 42,633 Jefferson County.... 10,321 King County......... 654,515 Kitsap County....... 84,620 Kittitas County..... 18,707 Klickitat County.... 14,350 Lewis County........ 37,658 Mason County........ 20,929 Okanogan County..... 34,705 Pacific County...... 11,583 Pend Oreille County. 7,999 Pierce County....... 272,225 Skagit County....... 61,498 Skamania County..... 5,877 Snohomish County.... 228,460 Spokane County...... 154,590 State Set-Aside 17,056 Committee, WA. Stevens County...... 23,567 Thurston County..... 83,818 Walla Walla County.. 23,639 Whatcom County...... 78,686 Whitman County...... 5,777 Yakima County....... 208,147 West Virginia..................... Barbour County...... 13,389 Berkeley County..... 26,448 Boone County........ 12,228 Braxton County...... 9,734 Brooke County....... 9,691 Calhoun County...... 8,429 Clay County......... 7,368 Fayette County...... 26,420 Grant County........ 7,684 Greenbrier County... 21,202 Hancock County...... 12,758 Harrison County..... 41,558 Huntington/ 54,732 Cabell,Wayne Cos.. Jackson County...... 14,378 Kanawha County...... 86,025 Lewis County........ 11,282 Lincoln County...... 13,590 Logan County........ 24,398 Marion County....... 34,935 Marshall County..... 17,331 Mason County........ 15,683 McDowell County..... 14,593 Mercer County....... 21,732 Mineral County...... 12,142 Mingo County........ 20,442 Monongalia County... 28,670 Nicholas County..... 16,471 Ohio County......... 16,629 Pocahontas County... 10,479 Preston County...... 16,485 Putnam County....... 19,481 Raleigh County...... 38,992 Randolph County..... 22,549 [[Page 15516]] Ritchie County...... 8,286 Roane County........ 11,296 State Set-Aside 28,125 Committee, WV. Summers County...... 7,082 Taylor County....... 10,522 Tucker County....... 7,297 Upshur County....... 17,976 Wetzel County....... 12,113 Wood County......... 41,515 Wyoming County...... 11,554 Wisconsin......................... Ashland County...... 8,056 Bayfield County..... 6,766 Brown County........ 57,799 Clark County........ 15,296 Crawford County..... 6,523 Dane County......... 63,333 Douglas County...... 17,804 Dunn County......... 10,809 Eau Claire/Chippewa, 42,418 Eau Claire. Grant County........ 20,671 Jackson County...... 7,139 Juneau County....... 10,364 Kenosha County...... 40,483 La Crosse County.... 28,756 Langlade County..... 7,411 Marathon County..... 44,482 Marinette County.... 17,331 Marquette County.... 6,824 Milwaukee County.... 278,690 Monroe County....... 13,547 Oconto County....... 12,271 Polk County......... 12,572 Portage County...... 23,223 Racine County....... 58,401 Rock County......... 45,701 Rusk County......... 7,096 Sawyer County....... 7,899 State Set-Aside 265,632 Committee, WI. Taylor County....... 8,486 Vernon County....... 9,189 Vilas County........ 7,383 Washburn County..... 6,637 Waushara County..... 8,271 Winnebago County.... 39,020 Wyoming........................... Fremont County...... 17,833 Natrona County...... 27,136 State Set-Aside 105,031 Committee, WY. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [FR Doc. 97-8202 Filed 3-31-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6718-02-P