Pocomoke City council opened a public hearing on an emergency resolution to use American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for a public works building and paused the measure after members raised questions about missing schematics, procurement steps and a looming obligation deadline.

At the meeting, a city staff speaker said that about $910,000 in ARPA funding had been previously bid and obligated but that roughly $278,090 remained and would need to be under contract or a purchase order by Dec. 31 to avoid returning the funds to the U.S. Department of the Treasury. "If it's not under a purchase order or obligated by December 31, then we will have to pay it back," the staff speaker said.

Council members and commenters repeatedly pressed for basic planning documents. "We should have had the schematics for what this building was going to look like. We should have seen how much this building was going to cost," said the presiding official who led much of the discussion. Several speakers said they would not support allocating the money without design estimates and clear procurement steps.

Janet Bernoski, identifying herself as with the Eastern Shore Post, asked the council to confirm the ARPA totals. City speakers responded that the council had approved roughly $910,000 on Dec. 16 and that a remaining balance of approximately $278,090 was the outstanding amount under discussion.

Multiple speakers warned that federal ARPA rules require obligations to be documented through contracts or purchase orders. One council member urged contacting a staff member named Candace to see if options remained to obligate funds before the deadline. Another council member said the city must balance department needs with residents' needs and favor building designs that will be sustainable over the long term.

Facing the outstanding procedural questions and a tight timeline, council members moved for a short recess. After a motion and a second, the presiding official called a voice vote; the council approved a 15-minute recess to allow staff and members to follow up and attempt to secure the necessary procurement steps.

The public hearing was not concluded in the transcript. The meeting recessed for 15 minutes while council members and staff pursued follow-up contacts and information.