During a recent government meeting, officials reviewed the allocation and spending of funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), emphasizing the urgency of encumbering all funds by December 2024 to avoid returning unspent money to the federal government. The commission had previously allocated approximately $31 million across eight categories, including revenue replacement, immediate needs for housing, public health, and capital projects.

A significant portion of the funds, around $1.8 million, was awarded to the United Way for immediate housing needs, which has already been fully utilized. The meeting highlighted the importance of timely spending, with a deadline for all funds to be spent by December 2026. Officials noted that while many projects are on track, there are areas of underspending, particularly in public health, where only $7.3 million of the allocated $13.4 million has been spent, largely due to the receipt of FEMA grants.

The commission discussed potential reallocations of unspent funds, particularly from public health and capital improvement categories. Notably, $300,000 was identified as available for reallocation due to lower-than-expected costs for air conditioning projects, and an additional $150,000 from a pool project that will undergo a comprehensive needs assessment.

Officials expressed confidence that most subrecipients will complete their projects on time, with nine agencies already having fulfilled their contractual obligations. However, they remain vigilant about monitoring progress and ensuring compliance with spending timelines. The meeting underscored the necessity of strategic planning to maximize the impact of ARPA funds while adhering to federal regulations.