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Durham County approves ARPA budget realignment and contract amendments; manager outlines compliance controls
Summary
The board approved an ARPA budget reconciliation package that shifts funds between functional areas to align with final project authorizations and approved related contract and capital amendments; county staff stressed adherence to U.S. Treasury guidance and internal compliance.
The Durham County Board of Commissioners approved a package of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) budget realignments and contract amendments intended to align funding with final project authorizations and to meet U.S. Treasury encumbrance guidance.
County Manager Hager told the board the action realigns dollars among functional areas where projects ultimately landed and ensures contracts related to ARPA funds were encumbered within federal timelines. “We wanted to make sure we were extra vigilant,” Hager said, noting the county had coordinated with multiple nonprofit partners and established internal compliance reviews.
Hager and staff described nearly 50 projects funded through the county’s ARPA allocation, including water and sewer investments and affordable housing partnerships with the City of Durham. In answering questions from commissioners, Hager said the county will continue internal audits and outside compliance checks and will avoid using ARPA funds where the eligibility is ambiguous.
Commissioner Valentine moved approval of the ARPA budget reconciliation (agenda item 24-0742); the motion was seconded by Commissioner Burton and approved by the board. The same meeting approved related items, including item 24-0793 and a capital project amendment identified in the transcript as CP8028.
Manager Hager described a risk-mitigation approach: if a contractor cannot perform or a project’s quality is in question, staff will recommend realignment of funds to other priorities such as childcare subsidies, food security, or water/sewer projects. Hager said the county maintains internal auditors and compliance staff who review ARPA-funded projects ahead of federal audits.
The board’s action moves ARPA dollars into the functional categories that correspond to final project outcomes and authorizes contract amendments needed to implement the funded projects. The transcript shows the board approved the items by voice vote with all commissioners present saying “aye.”
