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Survey about Federal Funding to Support Special District Definition Advocacy

Call to Action - Please Share!

The National Special Districts Association (NSDA) seeks input from special districts regarding challenges in accessing federal funding.  Our survey focuses on systemic barriers districts face in securing or competing generally for federal funds. Your feedback will support NSDA’s advocacy to pass our legislation to establish a formal federal definition of "special district" and ensure equitable access to federal financial assistance.

NOTE: The survey is NOT related to the Trump administration’s recent federal funding freeze and the ongoing challenges that some special districts are experiencing with accessing/receiving payments/reimbursements from certain federal agencies.

Background and Context

We are working with congressional partners to renew legislative efforts to establish a first-ever, formal definition of “special district” in federal law. In the previous Congress, our bill fell just short of the finish line, but we anticipate the reintroduction of this critically important bill in the near future.

A formal definition of “special district” would foster consistency, and enhance and facilitate the inclusion of special districts in Federal programs.

Current examples of special districts facing barriers to accessing federal funds include:

  • Transportation Alternatives / Rails-to-Trails. Many local park districts are not able to access the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Transportation Alternatives (TA) program, as special districts are not the required Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs).
  • USDOT’s Reconnecting Communities Program. Special districts are not listed in the program guidance as eligible entities. However, DOT staff has advised that special districts could qualify as a unit of local government or a non-profit organization depending upon how the district is structured.
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Housing Preservation Grants.  USDA staff has expressed uncertainty regarding special district eligibility for this grant program.
  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean-Heavy Duty Vehicles Program. Special districts are not explicitly listed as eligible entities in the program guidance and it remains unclear if districts qualify under the program’s “municipality” umbrella. 

Help us by answering just a few questions! 

Identifying Information
Are there federal programs/funding (discretionary grant programs, loan programs, or other initiatives) that your district is unable to access or has trouble accessing? If so, please provide specific details, including
Example A: If program guidance specifically indicates that “local governments” are eligible entities under the program and you have been unable to successfully access the funding, please indicate this and provide supporting details.
Example B: If it appears that your district should be eligible for program funding based on the federal authorizing statute and/or regulatory program guidance – and you have been unable to access funds – what, if anything, have federal agency officials told you about program eligibility/access?
Example C: If there are issues or problems with pass-through (receiving funds from your State and/or partnering local governments (counties, cities)), please indicate and provide details.
Please list any federal program funds that your special district receives and provide a very brief narrative of how your district utilizes the funds to serve your residents
NSDA Growth
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