County officials reviewed the county's remaining federal ARPA funds and discussed how to allocate scarce year-end dollars. Finance staff estimated about $568,618.76 remained after prior commitments, down from an earlier cash figure of roughly $812,000 because some project funds were already obligated though not yet paid. Commissioners pressed staff to identify which line items were truly available before approving transfers.

Why it matters: The decisions affect road surfacing, striping and equipment purchases that county public-works staff said are needed to catch up on deferred maintenance and high-risk rural roads projects.

County public-works representatives requested a two-to-one split of a proposed transfer from the Road & Bridge fund: $500,000 to the Special Roads fund and $250,000 to the Equipment Reserve. The request is intended to fund next year's chip-seal and striping work and to replace or add trucks and other heavy equipment. Staff said the Special Roads fund currently held about $1,055,000 in cash and the Special Machinery (equipment) fund about $1,400,000, but portions were already committed to grants and matching obligations.

Commissioners asked for a written plan showing exactly which roads and projects the transfers would support, a roll-forward of committed versus uncommitted ARPA amounts, and a prioritized "wish list" of equipment so the board can sign transfers at a subsequent meeting. The county's finance staff said she would prepare the detailed dollar amounts and documentation for next week's meeting.

The board also discussed the permissible uses of ARPA funds, with staff reiterating that ARPA generally cannot be used for salaries or retirement obligations but can cover capital projects and equipment when allocated and documented appropriately.

Next steps: Commissioners asked staff to return with project-level cost estimates, a clear list of committed ARPA obligations, and a proposed equipment wish list so the board can make formal transfer motions and resolutions at a later session.