The Muncie Board of Public Works and Safety approved $523,413 in claims at its May 28 meeting, and City Controller Craig Wright told the board that three invoices to Meridian Services for a “bridal center” were charged to American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) funds.

Wright, introduced in the meeting as “Mister Craig Wright, city controller,” said he sent the claims to board members the previous afternoon and described the Meridian Services invoices: “Each invoice contained, we got, equipment, software support, staff, social worker insurance.” He told the board the amounts “will fluctuate” and that “there will Monthly charges. There will continue to be monthly charges of some kind.”

Resident Jerry Wise questioned several line items on the register, asking specifically about a $10,500 charge to Astar Directional Drilling; Wright replied that the charge is “for motor vehicle highway.” Wise also queried smaller machine- and equipment-related charges that staff identified as hydraulic-hose and equipment repair items.

Board members moved and seconded approval of the May 21 meeting minutes and then moved to approve the register of claims for $523,413. The board used a voice vote; the motion carried.

The board did not approve or authorize any change to the ARP fund uses at the meeting. Wright said staff will continue to process monthly invoices and did not provide a schedule or dollar estimate for future ARP charges.

Clarifying details discussed during the claims item included the description of invoice line items (equipment, software support, staff, social worker insurance), the presence of multiple monthly charges for the service, and that specific vendor charges (Astar Directional Drilling; hydraulic hose repair) were listed on the register and explained on request by staff.