Committee amends county budget to reflect ARPA administrative allocations

County staff described a budget amendment to reflect ARPA funds used to offset administrative salaries for the county’s ARPA award administration. The funds are part of previously awarded ARPA allocations and the amendment moves money from an ARPA account to cover administrative costs. Staff told the committee the ARPA administrative account will be exhausted by 2026 and that the county submits required quarterly reporting to the U.S. Treasury and maintains internal and external controls to track performance and spending. When asked whether any ARPA money would need to be returned to the federal government, staff said no and that the county has been working with treasurer, auditor and administrator offices to ensure compliance. Supervisor Wilde moved the resolution to amend the budget; Supervisor Turner seconded and the committee approved the amendment by voice vote.