Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell last week appointed an ombudsman to work with municipalities and regional planning organizations to help them navigate federal stimulus programs, including bond financing.
Rell tapped David LeVasseur, undersecretary of intergovernmental policy at the Office of Policy and Management, to head the post, which he has taken on in addition to his regular duties.
“As we have discovered, utilizing Recovery Act funds comes with many challenges, and at times, some frustration,” Rell said in a press release. “In particular, using stimulus money means applying the letter of the federal law in every step of the project.”
LeVasseur said that some of the effort is likely to focus on bond programs created or expanded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. In some cases, he could direct potential borrowers to the appropriate government agency. In others, he could inform them they need to engage bond counsel, he said.
The majority of work is not expected be bond-related but rather aimed at helping municipalities and organizations find out what programs they are eligible for and how to follow their requirements.
“There are some things you can’t smooth, but in those instances where we can provide assistance, that’s our goal,” LaVasseur said.
The state has committed more than $1 billion of stimulus funds to projects and initiatives around the ARRA became law in February.
