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Grant County approves ARPA package including $1M for highway equipment and radio upgrades
Summary
The council approved a multi-line ARPA spending package: $150,000 for a chiller rental, $1,000,000 for highway equipment (Exhibit A lists heavy equipment), $1,163,281.24 for radio equipment across public safety agencies, and an elevator repair request of $87,127.92, with further detention-center requests to return next month.
Grant County commissioners approved a consolidated ARPA spending package Wednesday that directs pandemic-relief funds to equipment, communications and building repairs.
The plan approved by the council included a $150,000 allocation toward chiller rental, $1,000,000 earmarked for highway equipment (Exhibit A lists roll-off trucks, chipper boxes, rollers, excavators and other heavy equipment), $1,163,281.24 proposed for radio equipment serving the sheriff's office, EMA, EMS, central dispatch and highway, and $87,127.92 for elevator repair at the Salem Bank Building. The county also discussed rescinding a second $100,000 request for a boiler/chiller project at the detention center and returning next month with further documentation about detention-center needs.
The proposed township communications allotment was discussed as a separate line item to provide communications equipment to volunteer fire departments; Bob Jackson and Mr. Hicks were identified as facilitators for township oversight and submitted a memo describing administration of those funds.
Commissioners discussed timing and delivery questions: members asked whether the chiller vendor would deliver the permanent unit before rental contracts expire. Staff said delivery was expected soon but could not guarantee dates; members asked what financial obligation the county would have if the replacement did not arrive on schedule.
The council moved and approved the ARPA package by roll call. Staff said some items will return for final procurement details and that the detention-center request will be revisited next month.
Why it matters: ARPA funds are a one-time federal resource, and the package steers substantial dollars toward county infrastructure, highway fleet modernization and regional radio upgrades that affect emergency response and roadwork capabilities.
Next steps: Procurement and contract details for large equipment purchases and radio infrastructure will be finalized by county staff; oversight and disbursement for the township communications funding will follow the memo prepared by county staff and Bob Jackson.
