Board accepts declination of ARPA award to Young Kings and Queens; commissioners debate reallocating funds to county needs including HCS water‑line work

The board considered multiple motions Aug. 6 related to reallocation of ARPA and housing‑millage awards previously tied to Young Kings and Queens.

Vice Chair Taylor moved to add agenda items for the regular Aug. 6 meeting to rescind awards and to reallocate ARPA funds for infrastructure work at the Department of Health and Community Services (HCS). After discussion and a brief procedural correction and a rescinded motion, the board voted to accept the organization’s declination of the ARPA award originally awarded in February 2022; the clerk recorded the motion as carried by roll call with all voting members present voting “yes.”

Commissioner Ray asked that any returned funds that originally came from the “disproportionately impacted communities” allocation be returned to that pot rather than routed to internal services. Vice Chair Pro Tem Hepler and others said they were concerned about the federal deadline and the need to spend ARPA funds within the allowable timeframe; the county administrator said there is limited time to obligate ARPA funds and cited imminent operating needs at HCS.

Administrator Catlin described the HCS drinking‑water issue as "imminent," telling commissioners some staff did not have access to drinkable tap water and the county had been purchasing bottled water from a vendor because of elevated copper levels in the facility's water lines. Catlin and other staff later clarified the issue involved copper levels in pipes and that purchasing bottled water had cost roughly $5,000 per year (staff provided a year‑to‑date 2025 figure near $2,500 and prior‑year totals of roughly $4,000), while the county explores funding options for line replacement.

After procedural motions, the board formally accepted the declination of the $400,000 ARPA award originally tied to Young Kings and Queens and rescinded a separate $173,000 housing‑millage grant award to the same organization. Commissioners directed staff to document any small expenditures the organization incurred for possible reimbursement; several commissioners asked that the county identify alternative recipients for the returned funds consistent with the original ARPA intent and legal requirements.

The board also voted to add multiple ARPA and housing items to the regular agenda so they could be considered in the formal session. A separate discussion about reallocation for HCS water‑line replacement continued; administrators indicated alternative funding avenues exist (including capital‑fund options) and commissioners asked for a rapid decision given spending deadlines for ARPA funds.

The board did not allocate the returned ARPA funds to a specific new recipient on Aug. 6; instead it accepted the declination and rescission and asked staff and leadership to return with refined proposals at a future meeting. Commissioners also asked staff to determine and, if warranted, reimburse Young Kings and Queens for any eligible out‑of‑pocket expenses the group had incurred under its previously approved award.