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County to designate ARPA 605 reserves and reallocate forfeited recruitment bonuses to payroll; resolutions to be considered April 29
Summary
County staff proposed using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) 605 funds presently held in general-fund reserves to reimburse personnel costs in certain departments and to reallocate forfeited recruitment/retention bonuses back into payroll; commissioners supported bringing resolutions to the April 29 meeting to formalize the accounting.
County finance staff presented two ARPA actions: (1) formally designating ARPA Section 605 funds embedded in general-fund reserves to reimburse personnel and operational costs in a set of departments that receive little or no grant support, and (2) reallocating approximately $57,735 in forfeited recruitment/retention bonus funds and an approximately $85,000 personnel allocation tied to positions that existed as of Dec. 31, 2024, back to payroll.
Staff explained that ARPA Section 605 funds are broadly allowable and that the county has been holding the funds in general-fund reserves. To protect those restricted ARPA dollars and to ensure appropriate accounting, staff proposed a resolution that would designate specific reserves to cover payroll and benefits costs in departments such as assessor, auditor, treasurer, IT, human resources, GIS and facilities for a specified period. The resolution would document the county's intention to use ARPA 605 funds for those personnel costs.
Staff also explained that MOUs signed for recruitment/retention incentives included forfeiture provisions. When employees who had accepted ARPA-funded bonuses did not complete required terms, the forfeited amounts revert to the county; the county intends to reassign forfeited sums to cover payroll costs in approved departments under the MOUs. Finance staff said these actions are part of closing out ARPA accounting in order to meet federal reporting and internal best practices and that staff plans to present the two resolutions for formal adoption at the April 29 regular meeting.
Commissioners expressed support for the accounting strategy and for moving the resolutions forward.
