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Clay County board earmarks $3.5M in ARPA funds for parks, public health and infrastructure projects
Summary
Commissioners voted Sept. 12 to allocate a package of ARPA projects from approximately $3.5M of unallocated funds, including park improvements, mobile 'on‑the‑go' library and recreation units, a Way Free mobile medical unit, sewer planning and targeted infrastructure; the package passed unanimously pending procurement and design.
After a lengthy staff briefing and public discussion, the Clay County Board of County Commissioners on Sept. 12 approved an initial package of allocations for approximately $3.5 million in unallocated American Rescue Plan Act funds.
Staff proposed a prioritized list that included: water/sewer infrastructure support for a CCDA property on College Drive ($200,000); Neptune Park Phase 2 multiuse field ($80,000); a studio setup at the Emergency Operations Center ($25,000); a Thunderbolt School crosswalk ($50,000); Armstrong Park parking/safety improvements (estimated $800,000); County Road 220 safety improvements at Lakeshore West ($250,000); a partial land-acquisition contribution toward Fire Station 15 ($1,000,000, listed as a partial allocation); Way Free (free clinic) mobile medical unit ($300,000); a 'library on the go' mobile unit ($250,000); a 'parks on the go' mobile recreation unit ($250,000); a septic‑to‑sewer planning study ($300,000); and a $100,000 placeholder for a small boat dock/boat‑ramp design at Williams Park. Staff noted permitting and procurement timelines could delay construction and some projects may be partially funded for design only.
Commissioners debated permitting timelines, alternative funding sources (CIP land acquisition funds, impact fees), and community priorities. Several commissioners recommended prioritizing projects that can be completed or designed quickly to comply with ARPA spending deadlines. One commissioner proposed a bundled motion that included the list above; the motion was seconded and adopted by voice vote (motion carries 5–0).
Board direction and next steps: staff will proceed with procurement where feasible, refine cost estimates and permitting timelines, and return with memos or contract items to the board as project scopes are finalized. The board also directed staff to investigate an Oakleaf CDD parcel that the county owns in part for potential site planning or acquisition work and to pursue additional sources (CIP) for larger land purchases if needed.
Context: Federal ARPA funds must be obligated by the county within federal timelines and documentation requirements. Staff told commissioners they would track expenditures carefully and present periodic status updates as projects progress.
