Pontiac council demands review after Ernst & Young no‑show, public complaints about ARPA awards
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Summary
Council members and business owners pressed administration about delayed ARPA disbursements and shifting eligibility rules. Ernst & Young missed its scheduled presentation; council later voted to request an executive review of Ernst & Young's compliance with its ARPA reporting contract.
Frustration over the city’s administration of federal American Rescue Plan Act funds surfaced repeatedly at the Dec. 16 Pontiac City Council meeting as business owners and contractors urged immediate clarity and payments. Several speakers said awards announced last year have not been paid, that rules and definitions changed after submissions, and that communications from the city were inconsistent.
Jermaine Branner, a downtown business owner and workforce developer, told the council that many ARPA awardees "have not still been paid, and we have not received clear, consistent explanations as to why." Chuck Johnson, representing local contractors, urged the council to halt a recent demolition contract award he said was handled improperly. Multiple commenters linked delays to shifting eligibility and to spotty project oversight.
Council had scheduled a presentation from Ernst & Young, the consultant handling ARPA compliance and reporting, but the representative failed to appear. The item was tabled; council members said the no‑show repeated earlier missed appearances and underlined the need for greater transparency. After extended public comment, Councilwoman Kathleen James moved — and the council agreed — to suspend rules and adopt a resolution requesting the executive administration (and successors) review Ernst & Young’s compliance with the city contract for ARPA reporting and respond to council with findings.
Deputy Mayor Kelfani Stevens said Ernst & Young handles compliance and federal reporting but that the city still needs stronger active project management for ARPA awards. "We don't, in a robust way, have administratively somebody who is really driving the ARPA ship," Stevens said. Council members asked staff to compile a written determination of compliance and said they want monthly ARPA updates going forward.
The resolution asking for a compliance review passed unanimously; administration committed to report back and also to make public documentation and timelines so awardees understand next steps.
