County staff summarize $28.9 million in ARPA investments; behavioral health center and 800 MHz work among projects under way

Scott County staff presented a summary on Feb. 18 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) investments the county has obligated and implemented, saying the county directed most funds to capital and innovation projects and that $28.9 million was used to deliver programs across behavioral health, housing, parks, public safety radio infrastructure and workforce initiatives.

Leslie Vermillion, who led the presentation, said the county prioritized projects that would have long‑lasting value rather than one‑time expenditures. "This is, I'm hoping, our final kind of presentation on ARPA and our trip down ARPA and our investments," Vermillion said, and later summarized that staff "took $28.9 M and delivered this." She told the board that nearly 80% of the allocations went to capital projects and roughly 10% to operating and 10% to innovation, with mental‑health services and long‑term housing among the primary categories.

Major projects and status cited: - Behavioral health center: a partnership among county, hospital partners and Open Door Health Center; Vermillion said the project originally estimated at about $5 million "eventually took closer to $8,000,000 in ARPA funds to deliver on this." The project is under construction and will include urgent behavioral‑health services and clinic space. - 800‑megahertz radio upgrades and tower work: an 800 MHz tower replacement and equipment migration is under construction, including a site sited on the Waspuck water tower to improve system coverage and interoperability. - Parks and recreation capital: ARPA funded campground infrastructure (four camper cabins at Cleary Lake, shower house, dump station), the Doyle‑Kennefic trail opening, and helped fund Merriam Junction Trail work; the county noted cabin rentals are already high. - Housing and reentry: funding supported supportive reentry homes run by Damascus Way (men’s and women’s homes), a purchased quadplex being renovated for supportive housing, and a Shepherd of the Lake 14‑unit supportive housing project (land purchase and pre‑construction complete; bids recently returned and construction was expected to begin shortly). - Family Resource Center expansion and children’s prevention programs: capital renovations and funding for cultural navigators and data systems were included to support prevention and family services. - Workforce and library access: ARPA supported workforce training pilots and extended library hours operations (software, hardware and a multi‑year operation agreement) through 2026.

Vermillion told the board that staff also pursued outside grants that reduced the net ARPA contribution on several housing projects; Commissioners acknowledged that ARPA funding was supplemented by other state and federal sources in some projects. She thanked staff who managed compliance and reporting, and noted about 84 resolutions were required to document ARPA-related decisions.

Why it matters: The ARPA investments represent an uncommon, discretionary capital opportunity for the county and are intended to leave lasting infrastructure and service improvements across public safety, behavioral health and housing. Board members asked about sustaining activities begun with ARPA when federal funds expire; staff said operating support for some programs will need future funding decisions.

Next steps: Several projects are in construction or nearing construction, and county staff will continue oversight, contract management and grant reporting. Vermillion said staff will provide updates as projects move to completion and as grant match or ongoing operating needs are identified.