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Council allocates remaining ARPA interest; adds funds for CASEI and shelter contingency for Project Now
Summary
The council approved a resolution allocating remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) interest earnings, adding $75,000 for CASEI and making $20,000 for Project Now contingent on operating an overnight shelter in Rock Island County for winter 2025–26; the council also added $10,000 to each elected official's community partnership funds.
Davenport City Council on April 9 adopted a resolution to allocate the remaining interest earned on federal ARPA funds, approving several amendments that add funding for local service providers and distribute modest discretionary dollars to elected officials.
Council adopted an amendment from Alderman Newton to add CASEI (listed in the meeting materials as CASEI) for $75,000 and to amend language attached to a previously proposed $20,000 allocation to Project Now so that those funds are "contingent on Project Now operating an overnight shelter in Rock Island County for the 2025–26 winter," Newton said. The amendment passed on a roll call vote of 10-0.
Another amendment, moved later in the discussion, added $10,000 to community partnership funds for each elected official (including the mayor), to be used at each official's discretion; that amendment also passed on a 10-0 roll call. The final resolution, incorporating the adopted amendments, passed by unanimous roll call.
Why it matters: ARPA interest dollars are a one-time federal-era resource; council members said they sought to use the funds to address homelessness and support neighborhood services while recognizing there is no guaranteed ongoing funding source for operating costs beyond ARPA.
Members of service providers addressed the council during public comment. "I just wanted to say thank you," Ashley of Humility Homes and Services told the council after the agency's request was included. Sister Mary Anne Vogel, who described working with single-parent families and unhoused people, urged continuing funding for housing services.
Council discussion included questions about the sustainability of one-time funds and encouragement that agencies pursue longer-term sources such as CDBG; staff said ARPA interest is a one-time pot and agencies should be encouraged to seek ongoing funding through other programs.
Ending: The resolution passed with the adopted amendments; staff will execute the allocations and follow up with grant recipients about conditions attached to funding and reporting expectations.
