Ellsworth County Resolution to participate in the Rural Opportunity Zone Student Loan Repayment Program

(First Published in the Ellsworth County Independent/
Reporter, February 13, 2020)

Resolution No.  2020-R-02    

RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF ELLSWORTH COUNTY 
COMMISSIONERS AUTHORIZING PARTICIPATION 
IN RURAL OPPORTUNITY ZONE STUDENT LOAN 
REPAYMENT PROGRAM

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF ELLSWORTH COUNTY, KANSAS,
Section 1. Pursuant to K.S.A. 2016 Supp. 74-50,223, the Board of County Commissioners expressed its intent to participate in the Rural Opportunity Zone (ROZ) student loan repayment program.
Section 2. Ellsworth County has been designated a Rural Opportunity Zone pursuant to K.S.A. 2016 Supp. 74-50,222.
Section 3. Ellsworth County Commissioners hereby obligate Ellsworth County to participate in the ROZ student loan repayment program as provided by K.S.A. 2016 Supp. 74-50,223 for a period of five years, which shall be irrevocable.
Section 4. Ellsworth County agrees to pay in equal shares with the State of Kansas the outstanding student loan balance of any resident individual for five years, if the resident individual meets the terms of qualification provided by the State of Kansas in K.S.A. 2016 Supp. 74-50,223, and the appropriate rules and regulations. The number of qualified resident individuals receiving such payments will be subject to the availability of funds.
Section 5. Ellsworth County intends to enter into partnerships with Cities, Employers, and Foundations and any other approved entities for the direct sponsorship of Rural Opportunity Zone Applicants. Sponsored Applicants must meet all qualifications of the ROZ program. All sponsorships will be subject to ROZ student loan repayment rules and regulations.
Section 6. The maximum student loan balance for each qualified resident individual to be repaid jointly by Ellsworth County and the State of Kansas shall be $15,000 over a term of five years.
Section 7. Ellsworth County may, at its discretion, allocate an amount each year for the purpose of matching payments from the State of Kansas to qualified resident individuals. Ellsworth County shall revise its ROZ budget on an annual basis and shall inform the State of Kansas of any changes to the annual allocation. Ellsworth County shall submit their obligation in full to the Department of Commerce before the first day of September each year.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution shall be published once in the official county newspaper and shall be in effect from and after its date of publication.
Adopted this 3rd day of February, 2020 by the Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners, Ellsworth County, Kansas.

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF ELLSWORTH COUNTY, KANSAS
/s/ Steve Dlabal
/s/ Dennis Rolfs
/s/ Kermit Rush

ATTEST:
/s/ Shelly D. Vopat
Feb. 3, 2020

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