Overview
Local Authorization of Funding is a requirement of the Eligibility Period. A City, Town, or Regional School District (“District”) must vote to appropriate the funds necessary for the Feasibility Study and Schematic Design phases of the potential project within the 270-day Eligibility Period. Specifically, these costs are associated with the Owner’s Project Manager, Designer, Environmental and Site Testing, and other, or “contingency”, related expenses.
Requirements
Once a District has successfully appropriated its Feasibility Study and Schematic Design funds and completed all other Eligibility Period prerequisites, the MSBA will work with the District to assemble the necessary documentation to create a Feasibility Study Agreement for the District’s execution. Local Authorization of Funding should be appropriated in accordance with the MSBA’s vote requirements, District’s local charter and/or by-laws, and other any other applicable laws or requirements..
Vote Language
The MSBA provides template vote language for cities, towns and regional school districts to use as a model when crafting their vote language. While communities should always consult with local counsel and/or bond counsel to ensure that all warrant articles, motions, orders, and votes comply with municipal finance law and all other applicable laws, regulations, local bylaws, and local ordinances, Districts must also provide a draft version for the MSBA’s review and approval well ahead of the vote and any other associated local deadlines.
Following a Successful Vote
Following a successful local funding vote, the District should provide both an original, certified hard copy of the vote and an electronic copy to their Project Coordinator.
Funding
The specific amount to be appropriated for these phases of the project is at the discretion of the local community and may vary based on a number of factors, including the size and complexity of a potential project, the number and complexity of potential site(s) to be investigated, and the potential consolidation and/or reconfiguration decisions that have been previously determined, discussed, and agreed upon between the district and the MSBA.
In order to assist districts in determining an amount to appropriate, the MSBA provides current and historical cost data for MSBA-funded projects, categorized by type of school, which may serve as a helpful reference.
Failed Votes
In the event that a district fails to approve funding for a Feasibility Study and Schematic Design, by no later than 10 business days following the failed vote, the district should contact their Project Coordinator in accordance with the MSBA’s Failed Vote Policy.
