9-2-1214. Disbursement of grants.

(a) From the funds available for distribution, the division on aging may first retain not more than one percent (1%) to pay allowable expenses of the board. The board may award grants to senior centers throughout the state to support the purposes specified in W.S. 9-2-1212(a)(ii) from remaining funds available for distribution. The division on aging shall disburse grant funds in accordance with awards made by the board under this section.

(b) Notwithstanding W.S. 9-4-207, unobligated or unencumbered funds retained by the division on aging under this section shall not lapse at the end of a fiscal period and shall remain available for distribution as provided in this section. All funds retained pursuant to this subsection shall be accounted for separately. These funds shall not be required to be distributed pursuant to any grant formula adopted pursuant to this article but shall be available for emergency grants or may be distributed according to a grant formula as determined by the board.

(c) The board, in consultation with the division on aging, shall by rule and regulation establish a formula for distribution of funds remaining available for distribution under this section as follows:

(i) Each eligible senior center in the state shall receive the same basic grant of up to thirty thousand dollars ($30,000.00) annually from the funds available for distribution;

(ii) Of the amounts remaining after the basic grants are awarded, the board shall annually award ninety-five percent (95%) for grants to eligible senior centers based on the formula developed by the board in consultation with the division on aging. Funds remaining after the award of grants under this paragraph shall be used for emergency grants based upon rules adopted by the board, in consultation with the division on aging. Rules for emergency grants shall provide procedures and criteria for application for and award of emergency grants. Emergency grants shall be paid only if the center has no other available source of funds for the emergency. No emergency grant shall exceed twenty thousand dollars ($20,000.00) for any single occurrence.