Section 501.50  Establishment of Initial Block Grants

The initial amount of the block grants shall be based on the following criteria.

a)         The block grant shall be based on the amount determined by the Department to be an average of actual expenses approved by the Department over the most recent three-year period, plus any additional recurring costs, as determined to be necessary or required by the Department.

b)         Special requirement amounts shall be based on a local government's preparation for or participation in an exercise or drill that occurs outside of the annual exercise cycle.  Such requests shall be made to the Department in writing, and will be subject to approval based upon available funds.  Amounts dispersed and approved by the Department as special requirements will not be considered in calculating future grant awards.

c)         Special request amounts shall be based on requirements identified by a local government for items such as special equipment needs.  Such requests shall be made to the Department in writing, and will be subject to approval based upon available funds.  Amounts dispersed and approved by the Department as special requests will not be considered in calculating future grant awards.

d)         Special requirements and special requests approved by the Department after the dispersement of the initial block grant funds shall be incorporated into an amendment to the grant agreement before dispersement of the additional block grant funds.