Pembroke Park managers urge commission to finalize ARPA spending list before federal deadline

Town staff and commissioners discussed the town’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding during the Feb. 20 workshop, with staff asking commissioners to confirm priorities and vote on a final list at the March 13 meeting so the town can obligate funds by the federal deadline.

Town Manager David Lynch said the commission has not formally approved the current draft distribution and asked commissioners to review the updated list and provide feedback before March 13. Finance staff said the town originally received $3.2 million and that roughly $2.8 million remains available for obligation. Chandler Williamson told the commission the town has spent approximately $850,000 on police department expenses and some building repairs.

Lynch and Finance Director James Daverman emphasized the federal requirement to obligate funds by April and said regulators are monitoring slow spending. Lynch asked commissioners to meet with staff in the next weeks to finalize allocations; he said items on the list include equipment purchases, building renovations and public-safety items identified in earlier planning.

Commissioners said they want to move projects forward and referenced prior engineering work and grant proposals that the town had prepared earlier. No final vote was taken at the workshop; staff will present a final ARPA allocation and a resolution for a formal vote at the March 13 regular meeting.