Unidentified Speaker 4, a county staff member, told commissioners on Jan. 5 that Mason County awarded Youth Connection $722,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds in 2022 for building acquisition and an elevator and later amended the award to include renovations and extended the expenditure deadline to Oct. 31, 2026.

"So far, they have expended, close to 401,000," Speaker 4 said, adding the remaining balance is "approximately 321,000" and that the organization is having trouble securing additional funding. Staff said the county advanced the funds (treated as expended for ARPA reporting) and that Youth Connection is a beneficiary rather than a subrecipient, which alters reporting requirements.

Commissioners pressed staff on why the money had not been spent, whether a match was required, and whether the funds were tied to a specific building. Speaker 4 said there is no match requirement but that the original award tied funds to the acquisition and elevator work; staff will review the contract language and report back. Speaker 3 asked whether Youth Connection had already spent reimbursements on other items and therefore lacked cash to complete the work.

Staff proposed contacting Youth Connection immediately to clarify alternatives they are exploring — including deferring some work to future funding opportunities and borrowing against an ongoing capital campaign — and to schedule a briefing to confirm timelines and any barriers to expenditure. "I'll reach back out to them and see if we can schedule a briefing time with them," Speaker 4 said.

Commissioners emphasized urgency: if the county cannot document allowable expenditures by the deadline the funds could be at risk of reversion or federal repayment. Staff committed to (1) asking Youth Connection to document plans and timelines, (2) clarifying contractual restrictions about which buildings or activities are eligible, and (3) offering county staff support in discussions with the organization.

The county did not record a formal decision during the briefing; staff will return with contract language, any proposed next steps, and a recommended timeline for follow‑up.