In a recent government meeting, officials discussed the challenges surrounding a grant from the State Land Investment Board (SLIB) that was funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The grant was primarily allocated for waterline projects, but the city had hoped to utilize part of the funding to upgrade aging infrastructure, including the city hall, police department, and community commons with new HVAC systems and roofs.

Despite the completion of engineering designs, the project faced setbacks when bids were opened last week. The consensus among officials and engineers indicated that the project was too small to attract contractors, leading to disappointment as the city will not meet the October 1 deadline set by SLIB for being under contract. This deadline is crucial as SLIB intends to reallocate uncontracted funds to other waterline projects that are currently underfunded.

City officials noted that while the federal deadline for related storm drain projects is December 31, the state’s October deadline complicates matters. They are considering alternative approaches, including potentially acting as their own general contractor to manage bids and subcontractors over time, rather than rushing to complete the project all at once.

The police department was identified as the most urgent facility in need of upgrades, with plans to replace outdated swamp coolers with HVAC units. However, officials acknowledged that any work must be part of a larger project rather than piecemeal upgrades.

As the city navigates these challenges, officials are also in discussions with state representatives to clarify the next steps and explore options for utilizing the grant effectively. The meeting underscored the complexities of managing federal and state funding timelines while addressing critical infrastructure needs.