County staff: FQHC contract details ready for scheduling; ARP funds largely accounted for, arena infrastructure claims being processed

County staff told the Chemung County budget committee on June 2 that they had received an updated statement of services for the county-supported federally qualified health center (FQHC) and expected to schedule a meeting to finalize contract details.

A committee member asked for a status report on the FQHC and noted the county attorney had not attended the prior meeting. A staff member replied: “The county attorney’s office had been requesting a statement of services that Mister Chuckle Center intended to provide at the location that we’re looking at funding the renovations for. Wednesday of last week provided an up to date statement of services, which was forwarded to the county attorney’s office. I reached out to Hyder this morning. We should be in a position now to schedule a meeting and hammer out the contract details.”

When a committee member asked, “What happens if we go beyond December 30 first of this year?” the staff member said, “We’re not in a position at this point where we’re at risk of the money going back to the feds, but that could happen at some point in the future.”

Committee members said they planned follow-up calls: one member noted a scheduled follow-up call with Mike Pease to align questions for counsel, and the committee chair said that Roman was working directly with the county executive to process arena infrastructure payment requests.

Why it matters: The FQHC contract is tied to county-funded renovations supported by ARP funds. Finalizing a services statement and a contract is a prerequisite to obligating and spending federal ARP dollars for the project. Committee members raised a deadline — December 30 — and asked for regular updates.

What the committee said and asked

- A committee member requested the status of the FQHC contract and noted the county attorney had been absent at the prior meeting.

- A staff member said that an updated statement of services had been provided and forwarded to the county attorney and that staff expected to schedule a meeting to finalize contract language.

- On risk to ARP funding, staff said that aside from the FQHC item, other ARP-funded projects are accounted for and most funds have been spent or already committed.

- The chair said the arena had submitted infrastructure payment requests that are being processed and that Roman is working with the county executive to move those payments through.

Next steps and follow-up

Committee members identified next steps: staff will attempt to schedule a contract meeting with the FQHC representatives and follow up with counsel; a committee member planned a follow-up call with Mike Pease; and the chair said staff and the county executive are coordinating on arena claims.

Ending: Committee members said they will request regular status updates on the FQHC at future meetings until the contract is finalized.