15 Miss. Code. R. 20-72-5.2.7

Current through December 10, 2024

Rule 15-20-72-5.2.7 - Application Ranking System

The department shall use the following system for ranking the grant applications received. The ranking system includes the following factors:

1. The environmental impact of the proposed project;

2. The proposed project's ability to address noncompliance with state/federal requirements;

3. The extent to which the project promotes economic development;

4. The number of people served by the project (both new and existing users);

5. Impacts of the proposed project on disadvantaged/ overburdened communities;

6. The grant applicant's prior efforts to secure funding to address the proposed project's objectives;

7. The grant applicant's proposed contribution of other funds or in-kind cost-sharing to the proposed project;

8. The grant applicant's long-term plans for the financial and physical operation and maintenance of the project; and

9. The grant applicant's capacity to initiate construction in a timely manner and complete the proposed project by the deadline specified by rules and guidelines of the United States Department of the Treasury (USDT) for ARPA funds.

These factors will be quantified based on the point allocations within each of the ranking categories defined below. A maximum of 100 points can be received by the combined total points within the nine ranking categories. As Item B. notes, an additional 10 points may be obtained if consolidation/regionalization of systems are involved.

A. The environmental impact of the proposed project will be quantified based on a High (1), Moderate (3), or Low (5) assessment with a maximum of 5 points in this category.

B. The proposed project's ability to address noncompliance with state/federal requirements project will receive up to 30 points based on project category. For the first round of funding, an additional ten points will be added to any project combining consolidation/regionalization of public water systems with one of the other categories listed.

For projects submitted in the second round of funding, an additional fifteen points will be added to any project combining consolidation/regionalization of public water systems with one of the other categories listed. In order to receive the additional weight, the systems that will consolidate shall be in a proximity of each other as determined by the department. In addition to these additional consolidation points, an additional 10 points shall be added to any application with at least one system that has consolidated after January 1, 2018, and before application to this program and is otherwise eligible.

RANK	PROJECT CATEGORY
30	Primary Drinking Water Standards Project facilitates compliance with Primary Drinking Water Standards. Project must correct deficiencies resulting in non-compliance with the primary drinking water standards.
28	One Well Project to provide additional water supply to systems that have neither a backup well nor an MSDH-approved emergency tie-in to another system to ensure safe drinking water; thereby protecting the health of the existing population.
26	Pressure Deficiencies Project to correct documented deficiencies that result in existing systems routinely failing to maintain minimum acceptable dynamic pressure.
24	Source Water Protection Projects Project to manage potential sources of contaminants/pollutants and/or prevent contaminants/pollutants from reaching sources of drinking water.
22	Capacity Expansion to Serve the Unserved Project to either expand existing system capacity or construct a new drinking water system to serve existing residences/businesses in currently unserved areas safe drinking water (source, treatment and/or distribution).
20	Back-up Water Supply Sources Projects Project to provide additional supply to systems with insufficient back-up water supply sources to ensure safe drinking water, and thereby protect the health of the existing population.
18	Existing Facilities Upgrades (Meeting Primary Standards) Project to rehabilitate, replace, protect or upgrade deteriorated, worn, aged or obsolete equipment, facilities, etc., to assure continued, dependable operation of water systems where such systems are already meeting Primary Drinking Water Standards.
16	Secondary Drinking Water Standards Projects Project to provide treatment that brings systems into compliance with Secondary Drinking Water Regulations.
14	Consolidation Projects Project to consolidate separate systems into a single system for purposes other than those related to meeting primary standards.
12	Fluoride Addition This category is for projects that either rehabilitate existing fluoride treatment facilities at well or treatment plant sites or add new facilities to existing well or treatment plants.
10	Other Project does not meet the criteria of any category listed above.

C. The extent to which the project promotes economic development will be quantified based on assessment of yes (5) or no (0) with a maximum of 5 points within this category.

D. The number of people served by the project will be quantified based on population range.

Population Range	Ranking
0 - 3,300	15
3,300 - 6,600	12
6,600 - 9,900	10
9,900 - 13,200	8
13,200 - 16,500	4
16,500 - 19,800	3
19,800 - 23,100	3
23,100 - 26,400	4
26,400 - 29,700	8
29,700 - 33,000	10
33,000 - 36,300	12
36,300 - Above	15

E. Impacts of the proposed project on disadvantaged communities will be quantified based on Median Household Income (MHI).

MHI Range			Ranking
$0.00	-	$20,144.00	15
$20,144.00	-	$23,073.67	13
$23,073.67	-	$26,003.33	11
$26,003.33	-	$28,933.00	8
$28,933.00	-	$31,862.67	7
$31,862.67	-	$34,792.34	6
$34,792.34	-	$37,722.00	5
$37,722.00	-	$40,651.67	4
$40,651.67	-	$43,581.34	3
$43,581.34	-	$46,511.00	2
$46,511.00	-	Above	1

F. The grant applicant's prior efforts to fund the project will be quantified based on assessment of yes (5) or no (0) with a maximum of 5 points within this category.

G. The grant applicant's proposed contribution will be quantified based on a percentage range of the projects total cost with a maximum of 5 points within this category.

Percentage Range	Ranking
1% - 4%	1
5% - 9%	3
10% - Above	5

H. The grant applicant's long-term plans for the financial and physical operation and maintenance of the project will be quantified based on an assessment. Applicants with no plan will receive a zero (0). Applicants with a long-term plan will receive five (5). Applicants certifying the development of a asset management plan by the end of the project will receive ten (10) with a maximum of 10 points within this category.

I. The grant applicant's capacity to complete the proposed project by the deadline specified by rules and guidelines of the USDT for ARPA funds will be quantified based on an assessment. Applicants able to meet this requirement will be quantified at 10 with a maximum of 10 points within this category. Applicants unable to meet this requirement will be disqualified.

J. If necessary, the following will be used as the basis for breaking any ties that occur.

a) Projects to primarily correct a MSDH documented failure to meet primary drinking water standards or a MSDH documented significant deficiency will be given preference.

b) If there are no projects to correct a MSDH documented failure to meet primary drinking water standards or a MSDH documented significant deficiency, projects primarily for consolidation will be given preference.

c) If there are no projects primarily for consolidation, projects with the lowest Median Household Income Range will be given preference.

d) If all projects have the same Median Household Income Range, projects with the lowest Population will be given preference.

e) If all projects have the same Population Range, projects extending potable water service to new users will be given preference.

15 Miss. Code. R. 20-72-5.2.7

House Bill 1421, 2022 Regular Session & Senate Bill 2444, 2023 Regular Session of the MS Legislature

Adopted 6/24/2022

Amended 7/28/2023