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Willmar staff reviews remaining ARPA funds and CIP priorities; $250,000 must be obligated by Dec. 31
Summary
Operations Director Kyle Box told the council the city received about $2.1 million in ARPA funds, has approved roughly $1.9 million to date, and must obligate about $250,000 by Dec. 31 or return it; staff listed possible eligible uses (technology, housing trust, playgrounds) and offered a work session to finalize priorities.
Operations Director Kyle Box briefed the Willmar City Council on Nov. 18 about remaining ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds and proposed capital-improvement priorities. Box said the city received a little over $2.1 million in ARPA funds and that council approvals to date total roughly $1.9 million, leaving about $250,000 that must be obligated via contract or purchase order by Dec. 31, 2024, or be returned to the federal government.
Box reviewed a staff memo identifying eligible uses and previously approved items, including technology and security upgrades, a childcare grant, fire turnout gear, water-infrastructure work at the airport, playground equipment and bike- and trail planning. He noted the city has a five-year contract with Tyler Technologies for software that costs approximately $156,000 annually and that staff will provide a breakout of ARPA spending to Tyler (Box said round numbers for 2024 technology-related ARPA spending are about $330,000).
Councilmember Audrey asked about a verbal commitment to transfer $150,000 to the HRA to seed a housing trust fund; Box confirmed the trust fund exists, the county made a matching commitment and staff will ask the HRA to present details about how the funds would be used. Box offered to hold a work session to discuss ARPA priorities, CIP and the budget; council scheduled a Tuesday work session at 6:30 p.m. at the Municipal Utilities auditorium to continue discussion.
Box emphasized that the ARPA update was informational only on Nov. 18 but urged council to identify projects to obligate the remaining funds before year-end.
