Grant County commissioners approve $2.02 million ARPA allocation for jail, authorize contract amendment review

The Grant County Board of Commissioners on Monday approved adding $2,024,447.84 to the countyARPA spending plan to fund jail and detention work, and authorized an amendment to a related professional services agreement subject to legal review and narrowed language.

Why it matters: The vote obligates federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars toward corrections infrastructure, meeting an obligation deadline highlighted by county counsel and creating a route to proceed with design and construction steps if the scope is finalized.

What the board did: Board counsel told commissioners that signing the contract amendment would meet the ARPA obligation deadline of Dec. 31, 2024, and that the funds must be expended by Dec. 31, 2026. Counsel also said that if the project stalls, documented work and reporting could allow the county to repurpose the funds for another permitted use under the revenue-replacement ARPA category. After discussing scope and adding language to clarify that $2,024,447.84 is designated for jail and detention work, Commissioner Bardsley moved to add the amount to the ARPA spending plan; Commissioner Wright seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote.

Discussion and safeguards: Commissioners pressed counsel and the project team on protections: written-notice requirements in the amendment, phased compensation ("the developer shall only be compensated upon providing a product that satisfies the board for each phase"), and ability to terminate if the board is unsatisfied. Counsel said the amendment does not obligate a single lump-sum payment and that existing contract terms remain effective unless specifically amended. County counsel also said the board could refine the language further to specify that a portion of the funding be set aside specifically for jail/detention work.

Next steps: County staff and counsel will revise the amendment language to narrow scope and add clarifications requested by commissioners, then present the final document for signature and implementation steps. Commissioners recorded the motion and vote as approved; the amendment and ARPA spending addition were entered into the county's records.