The Hampshire County Commission voted to reallocate $510,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA/SLFRF) funds to the Capon Bridge EMS building project at a special meeting, commissioners said, a move intended to secure the county’s ability to legally obligate the money before a federal deadline.

Presiding Officer said the ARPA money “has a deadline of today for allocations,” pressing the commission to act to avoid losing federal funds. An ARP administrator presenting a packet of guidance and balances recommended the reallocation, noting the EMS building had an existing contract and a competitive bid history that the county could defend in an audit: “My recommendation is we move the money into the EMS building,” the ARP administrator said.

The administrator told commissioners the county received $4,501,472 in SLFRF funds and reported roughly $594,283.84 remained unobligated; he listed project-specific remaining balances including “Romney Bulk Water Station has basically $4,998.40 left” and an approximately $39,000 balance for the Capon Bridge Tech Park transition project. He warned that recent Treasury and National League of Cities guidance had clarified that an ‘‘obligation’’ requires a contract, subaward or similar instrument — not merely a budget line, resolution or minutes.

Mister Cox, who reviewed the broadband contract, told the board a contract signed Dec. 26 by Hardy Telecommunications and Scott Sherman identifies ARP funding and “the contract would have to be re-signed or recreated” if the county moved funds off the broadband award. Commissioners discussed the need to preserve Broadband Project 2 as a priority while avoiding audit risk.

Commissioner (unnamed) moved to shift $510,000 from Broadband Project 2 into the EMS building; Commissioner Ralph seconded the motion and the measure passed by voice vote. After the vote the presiding officer asked Mister Cox to return with a general fund request so the broadband project can continue under a different funding route.

In related actions, the commission approved a motion recognizing the towns of Romney and Capon Bridge as subrecipients for specified ARPA awards (to document that those towns, not the county, hold the obligation for certain grants), a step the ARP administrator said would prevent those amounts from being subject to the county’s Dec. 31 obligation deadline.

The board also appointed Sarah King to the Building Commission and named John Seldon and Ryan Dante to the Hampshire County Planning Commission by voice vote. Commissioners authorized the president to sign a courthouse facilities improvement grant contract and acknowledged a judge’s request to frame a portrait using already-budgeted funds.

The Capon Bridge EMS building item drew no local representative to answer questions; commissioners agreed to continue or revisit the matter at a later meeting.

Votes at a glance:
- Approve minutes: motion seconded and approved (voice vote).
- Reallocate $510,000 from Broadband Project 2 to Capon Bridge EMS building: motion by Commissioner (unnamed); second Ralph; passed (voice vote).
- Recognize the towns of Romney and Capon Bridge as ARPA subrecipients for specific awards: motion moved and seconded; passed (voice vote).
- Appoint Sarah King to the Building Commission: motion passed (voice vote).
- Appoint John Seldon to the Planning Commission: motion passed (voice vote).
- Appoint Ryan Dante to the Planning Commission: motion passed (voice vote).
- Authorize president to sign courthouse facilities improvement grant contract: motion passed (voice vote).

What’s next: Commissioners directed staff to bring a general-fund request for Broadband Project 2 and to follow up with local representatives for the Capon Bridge EMS building; the matter will be revisited at a future meeting if no further action is taken today.