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Commissioners debate using $920,000 in remaining ARPA funds for courthouse master plan and other needs
Summary
The court spent extensive time weighing ARPA‑eligible spending: the only current contract is with DRG Architects for a courthouse master plan needed for grant applications; commissioners pushed for options to split funds, add vendors or reallocate money for retirement liabilities and building systems, and asked for a written legal opinion before proceeding.
Anderson County commissioners devoted a lengthy portion of the meeting to whether remaining ARPA funds should be spent exclusively through an existing contract with DRG Architects for a courthouse master plan or repurposed for other county priorities.
The presiding judge (speaker 1) told the court that about $920,000 in ARPA federal funds remain and must be spent by Dec. 31, 2026. He said the county has an ongoing contract with DRG Architects to produce a master plan required by the Texas Historical Commission to make the courthouse eligible for restoration grants. “We put $1,000,000 towards the courthouse...that is the one contract that is still remaining that we still have a contract with them,” the judge said.
Some commissioners questioned DRG’s fees and whether the county was overpaying for facilitation and administrative tasks. Commissioner (speaker 4) gave an example, saying the firm charged $32,000 for coordinating roof bids but did not perform the roof work, and argued the court should investigate whether some contractor roles could be performed locally to stretch federal dollars. Commissioner Chapin said the court should have the option to add another vendor and reallocate funds if legally permissible.
County staff and the auditor said federal ARPA rules limit spending to activities under contract by Dec. 31, 2024, though funds must be spent by the 2026 deadline. Commissioners agreed they needed a written legal opinion (from general counsel, the DA or outside counsel) to clarify whether adding a contractor or reallocating funds is allowed under Treasury guidance and state procurement rules. The judge said DRG has been working with the historical commission and that some components (3‑D imaging, master plan requirements to meet ADA and fire codes) require an architect and may necessitate DRG’s role.
Outcome: The court did not change the contract at the meeting. Several commissioners requested written legal opinions and counsel to review whether adding vendors or rearranging ARPA‑eligible contracts is permissible; the item was tabled pending written guidance.
Why it matters: If the court cannot legally reallocate these federal funds or add new ARPA‑eligible contracts, the money must be spent through the existing DRG contract or returned to the federal government; commissioners emphasized both protecting the historic courthouse and ensuring conservative stewardship of taxpayer and federal funds.
Next step: Commissioners asked staff to obtain written legal advice from county counsel and, if needed, supplemental opinions from outside counsel or the DA’s office; the ARPA matter will return to a future court session for action.
