Section 191.06. Grant payments.

 

(1)   Eligible costs. The department shall reimburse the sponsor for the costs identified in the grant agreement. Costs may include any of the following:

(a) Labor costs required to carry out activities identified in the grant agreement provided they are for new staff or increased hours of existing staff. Costs of additional staff positions or increased staff hours shall be based on management unit rates for the position including salary, fringe benefits and other items determined to be appropriate by the department.

(b) Direct costs for construction activities, professional service contracts, laboratory services, surveys, newsletters, brochures, mailings and similar items.

(c) The cost of necessary supplies and equipment used exclusively for project-related purposes over the useful life of the item or the cost of that portion of supplies or equipment used for the project.

(d) Plant, seed, mulch and erosion control materials. Rock rip rap for erosion control shall have prior approval from the department.

(e) The cost of leased equipment and facilities during the length of the project.

(f) Water quality or environmental monitoring cost as approved by the department.

(g) Other costs as provided within specific subchapters of this rule and determined by the department to be necessary to carry out an adequate project.

(h) The local share of the project cost may include the substantiated value of donated materials, equipment, services and labor as all or part of the local share subject to all of the following:

1. All sources of local share donation shall be indicated when the application for a grant is submitted.

2. The maximum value of donated, non–professional, labor shall be $12 per hour. For counties conducting projects requiring compliance with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service standards, the donated labor rate established for that county by the Farm Service Agency may be used.

3. The value of donated equipment shall conform to the Wisconsin department of transportation highway rates for equipment.

4. The value of donated materials and professional services shall conform to market rates and be established by invoice.

5. Local share may include existing professional staff time, supported by time sheets, and valued at the sponsor's rates for the position including salary, fringe benefits and other items determined by the department to be appropriate for the supervision and administration of the project.

(i) Reasonable planning, engineering and design costs necessary to complete a permit application required to implement a project awarded a grant if the costs are incurred within 12 months prior to the application deadline.

(2)   Ineligible costs. Costs not directly associated with or necessary for the implementation of the project as determined by the department are ineligible for grants. Ineligible costs include, but are not limited to:

(a) Fines and penalties due to violations of, or failure to comply with, federal, state or local laws or regulations.

(b) Indirect costs and the ordinary operating expenses of local government sponsors, such as salaries and expenses of public officials, that are not directly related to the project.

(c) The purchase of boats, cars and office furniture.

(d) Routine maintenance and operating costs of equipment or facilities such as, but not limited to, pumps, aerators, plant harvesters or sedimentation basins.

(3)   Final payment. The department may withhold 10% of the state share for a final payment and may withhold final payment until final costs have been reviewed under s. NR 191.04 and the department has made a determination that the project has been satisfactorily completed. All project costs are subject to a post audit process that will take place after final payment has been made. If a determination is made that payments were made in error, the sponsor may be required to make a repayment to the department.

CR 02-122 : cr. Register May 2003 No. 569 , eff. 6-1-03; CR 08-063 : am. (1) (h) 2. Register June 2009 No. 642 , eff. 7-1-09.

Note

The county highway rates for equipment are formulated under s. 84.07 , Stats., and can be found in chapter 5 of the State Highway Maintenance Manual published by the Wisconsin department of transportation, 4802 Sheboygan Avenue, Madison, WI 53705. Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1