By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
Decatur City Council approved the spending of a big batch of money at its Nov. 19 meeting. It had no choice, really, a case of spend it or lose it.
America Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds were sent out all over the country in 2021 to aid relief efforts in the wake of the pandemic. Decatur received approximately $1.2 million.
The city had approximately $380,000 of its ARPA funds still in its coffers before the spending spree.
All ARPA funds need to be allocated by the end of 2024. Any of those monies not so allocated will revert back to the federal government.
Mayor Dan Rickord and other officials have been meeting with various department heads of late, seeking the best ways to use the remaining funds.
As a result, council on Nov. 19 approved the spending of $364,886.35 of ARPA monies.
Approximately $12,000 to $15,000 will thus remain to be spent, and Clerk-Treasurer Kevin Hackman said that can be done at the next council meeting, on Tuesday, Dec. 3. That, however, will be the “drop dead” date for doing so.
Hackman had remarked earlier in the meeting that some of the funds allocated Tuesday night “are some big-ticket items that we’re going to need down the road.
The spending authorized Nov. 19:
* $98,600 for water line/main improvements on portions of First, Elm and 12th streets.
* $171,749 for two skid loaders.
* $94,480 for a mini excavator.
With the spending approved, Mayor Rickord took a moment to praise the efforts of city employees.
“We’ve probably saved half a million dollars (this year) by having our guys do (projects). Thanks to our workforce for saving us millions of dollars.”
NOTE: Council members Matt Dyer and Abby Wilder were unable to attend the meeting, but with Scott Murray, Tyler Fullenkamp and Jenny Bowers-Shultz on hand, council still had a quorum.
