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Select Board hears ARPA inventory, staff warns of obligation deadlines and reprogramming options
Summary
Town staff reported an ARPA project inventory (~$5.65M received), described items committed and those with low expenditures, and emphasized the need to obligate funds by federal deadlines via contracts or grant agreements; staff said unspent amounts can be reprogrammed if properly committed before the deadline.
At the Oct. 21 meeting staff presented an inventory of Concord’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds totaling about $5,650,000 and reviewed project status across fiscal years.
What staff reported: Fiscal‑22 allocations were closed out; fiscal‑23 and fiscal‑24 items include a mix of completed projects, committed grant agreements and line items with low expenditure rates (for example, cultural arts and DEI consulting funds). Staff said they are using federal grant‑agreement templates to commit funds to partners (for example, to the Affordable Housing Trust) and will aim to obligate funds before federal timetables require documentation. Several line items have been reprogrammed after review.
Board questions: Members asked how the town will ensure federal requirements are met (e.g., what constitutes obligation), where unspent funds might be moved (capital projects such as road paving or municipal facilities were discussed), and whether state MCI Concord earmarks can be used for legal expenses related to MCI (staff said they are awaiting clarifying language from the state). Staff said they will present adjustments and recommendations at subsequent meetings and aim to bring grant agreements forward before the federal obligation deadline.
Next steps: Staff will return with suggested reprogramming options and contract/grant agreements to obligate funds where appropriate and will provide quarterly ARPA updates to the board.
Source: ARPA report delivered during Town Manager’s report, Oct. 21, 2024 Select Board meeting.
