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Former Curry County treasurer asks board to explain $2.7 million 'missing' ARP allocation
Summary
Former county treasurer David Barnes told the board he submitted required American Rescue Plan reports showing $2.7 million unallocated in April 2024 and urged the commission to issue a formal explanation after public reporting raised questions.
David Barnes, who identified himself as a former Curry County treasurer, used the public-comment portion of the May 7 meeting to press the board for clarity about American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding. Barnes said he submitted required reports to the U.S. Treasury showing roughly $2.7 million remaining unspent or unallocated in April 2024 and asked the county to publicly explain the discrepancy after local media coverage suggested the funds were "missing." He also warned that a separate $4.4 million Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund (LATCF) allocation will soon require reporting.
Barnes described a sequence of events: the county received ARP funds in two equal payments; a citizen panel and the board authorized roughly $1.7 million for awards and the county updated first reports; a finance director resigned; a successor did not update the Treasury report; and a later allocation authorized by board order was apparently not reflected in Treasury filings. He said the Treasury notified the county in December 2024 that $2.7 million appeared unaccounted for, prompting concern.
Barnes asked for a formal county statement. Commissioner Jay Bunch said the board would address Barnes’ questions at a future meeting and that Barnes had left for the evening. No formal motion or formal audit action was taken during the meeting; commissioners said the matter would be addressed at the next meeting.
The transcript records that Barnes traced the reporting history, the board orders, and cited the county's finance rules (order 23327, Nov. 1, 2023) that assign grant-reporting duties to the finance director. Commissioners did not dispute Barnes' timeline in public comment but deferred responses pending staff follow-up.
Because Barnes identified specific dates and board orders, the county’s next meeting will be the likely venue for follow-up, including the finance director’s explanation and any needed corrections to U.S. Treasury reports.
