County establishes ARP board

With $7 million in American Rescue Plan funds coming the county’s way, a new board was established to review proposals for the funds.

In a joint meeting Tuesday, the Putnam County Commissioners and Putnam County Council agreed to establish a five-member board to consider possible uses for the money.

The advisory board will be composed of Commissioners Tom Helmer and Rick Woodall, along with Council members Jay Alcorn, Stephanie Campbell and Dave Fuhrman.

Possible uses for the money include infrastructure needs such as water, sewer and broadband, though not roads and bridges, as well as making up for lost tax revenue following COVID-19.

No meetings have been set for the board, though a series of three monthly meetings have been proposed. Updates will be published by the Banner Graphic.

The county has until the end of 2024 to establish a plan to spend the money and until the end of 2026 to make all expenditures.

Final decisions on American Rescue Plan expenditures remain the responsibility of the Putnam County Commissioners.