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Griggs County urged to obligate $206,000 in ARPA funds before year end
Summary
An emergency-manager presentation at the Griggs County Commission meeting warned that roughly $206,000 in ARPA/COVID funds must be formally obligated to projects by Dec. 31, 2024, though spending may occur through 2026; commissioners agreed to a special meeting to finalize assignments.
Ben Gates, an emergency manager who has advised neighboring counties, told the Griggs County Commission on Dec. 9 that the county must assign — or "obligate" — roughly $206,768.87 of its ARPA/COVID PHS funds to specific projects by Dec. 31, 2024, though the money can be spent through Dec. 31, 2026. Gates framed obligation as a formal step distinct from spending: "You can have them in your county coffers, but now you have to say you're gonna use them for a specific project," he said.
Gates explained two different buckets the county is tracking: a LATCF fund (labelled in county paperwork) of about $100,000 that carries minimal restrictions, and the COVID PHS general fund that carries federal eligibility rules. Because Griggs County received less than $10 million in federal ARPA allocations, Gates said the county may claim a standard revenue-loss deduction that broadens acceptable uses but still requires projects be designated.
Gates gave commissioners the November fund balance and his working math: a reported balance near $362,199.33 and an adjusted available amount of $353,851.58 after previously recorded obligations, leaving about $206,768.87 available to obligate. He recommended the commission assemble a prioritized project list "to over-obligate" in some cases so the county retains flexibility if projects later receive other grant funding.
He urged practical steps the commission could take, including using memoranda of understanding (MOUs) to obligate dollars to departments with generalized descriptions (for example, "sheriff's office — equipment and technology") rather than tying funds to a single purchase. Gates recommended prioritizing road and public-safety projects and suggested the commission hold a short special meeting before Dec. 31 to sign off on obligations.
Commissioners agreed to schedule a special meeting for Dec. 16 to consider ARPA obligating language and a project list. Gates and county staff said spending plans could be adjusted later if grants are awarded, but the obligation entries—what the federal rules require by year-end—must be recorded now.
The county’s next regular meeting is Dec. 30 at 9:30 a.m.; the special meeting to address ARPA obligations is set for Dec. 16 at 9:30 a.m.
