County nears decision on ARPA funds

After months of deliberation, Putnam County officials are finalizing a list of causes to receive funding through American Rescue Plan Act funds.

Last July, the county learned it was set to receive $7,298,697 in ARPA funds over a two-year period.

At that time, officials formed an advisory board composed of Commissioners Rick Woodall and Tom Helmer as well as County Council members Dave Fuhrman, Stephanie Campbell and Jay Alcorn.

The board met several times, though final decisions were delayed more than once based on changing guidelines from the federal government.

Ultimately, the county chose to contract with Barnes & Thornburg out of Indianapolis to manage the money.

On Monday, the Putnam County Commissioners revealed a tentative list of organizations and causes that will receive money and the amounts they will receive:

• South 43 Water Corp. – $2,500,000 for infrastructure upgrades;

• Reelsville Water Corp. – $2,000,000 for infrastructure upgrades;

• Clear Creek/Heritage Lake – $518,000 for sewer plant expansion;

• Volunteer fire departments – $450,000 for lost revenue (nine departments, estimated $50,000 per department);

• Putnam County Health Department – $420,162 for mobile trailer/equipment;

• Putnam County essential workers – $240,000 in premium pay (estimated 80 workers, $3,000 per worker);

• Town of Russellville – $200,000 for new water tower;

• Putnam County Public Library – $194,000 for upgrades that are more easily sanitized;

• Putnam County EMS – $175,000 for equipment upgrades;

• Beyond Homeless Inc. – $150,000 for upgrades and programs;

• Mental Health America of Putnam County – $100,000 for new programs;

• Putnam County Pantry Coalition – $50,000 for supplies;

• Putnam County Hospice and Palliative Care Association – $21,000 for Vital Medical Information File.

More details about individual projects will be reported when they receive final approval.

Should the numbers hold, it would add up to a total of $7,018,162, leaving the county with a remaining balance of $280,535.

However, the exact numbers are subject to change, as some of the bids for projects have expired. Agencies in this situation are being told to ask for a new bid.

All ARPA funds must be spent by the end of 2024 or returned to the federal government.

Commissioner Rick Woodall emphasized that in most cases, the county is not fully funding the project.

“We’re not financing the entire project. We’re just a piece of it,” Woodall said. “There are all kinds of other places that these people are having to go through.”

County officials plan to have a finalized list of projects by April 1.

In a rather lengthy meeting Monday morning, the Commissioners covered a number of other issues. More information from the meeting will be published in upcoming editions of the Banner Graphic.

NOTE: A previous version of this story incorrectly listed the proposed premium pay for essential workers as $5,000, when the figure being considered is actually $3,000.