Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Arp Grants General Fund Variances topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Spokane County staff seek flexibility for ARP‑funded projects moved to general fund; commissioners agree to proceed with Rockford water project
Summary
Staff reviewed requests from previous ARP awardees now moved into the general fund, including Innovia (timeline extension), Campfire (use of remaining funds for operations), and the Town of Rockford (shift remaining capital funds from sewer to water). Commissioners agreed to let Rockford proceed; other requests will return for further review.
County staff briefed commissioners on requests from organizations whose American Rescue Plan Act awards were converted to general‑fund contracts earlier in the year, producing several variance requests for timelines and allowable uses.
Heather (county staff) explained that when the county moved ARP awards into the general fund, awardees kept the original project scope and timeline but that four awardees in particular had now requested changes. Innovia requested a two‑year extension on a multi‑million dollar award; Campfire and Feast requested permission to use remaining capital funds for salaries and operations; and the Town of Rockford asked to use $41,000 remaining from a completed sewer project for a nearby water infrastructure project.
Staff said Innovia was originally awarded $5,000,000; $3.7 million had been moved to ARP and $2.9 million remained at the time of the briefing. Innovia asked only for a timeline extension to 2028. Campfire asked to reallocate about $72,600 of remaining capital funds to operations (salaries/benefits). Rockford completed the original capital project and asked to reassign $41,000 to a water project; county staff and multiple commissioners said the Rockford request was time‑sensitive and suitable for approval.
Commissioners discussed fairness and equity for other recipients who had previously been denied flexibility. One commissioner expressed concern that allowing operations expenditures for organizations that previously were limited to capital could set precedent. Staff noted that moving funds into the general fund legally permitted more flexibility but also raised equity questions because the original scoring process did not contemplate scope changes.
After discussion, commissioners gave clear support to proceed with the Rockford water project reallocation to allow timely completion. Staff said they would return with further recommendations on other variance requests (Innovia timeline extension and operations reallocations) and would prepare any required resolution or formal action at the next legislative meeting.
Ending
Staff said they will bring formal recommendations and any required resolutions for the remaining ARP‑turned‑general‑fund variance requests back to the board; Rockford’s water reallocation will move forward as the most time‑sensitive item.
