Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Arpa Closeout topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Lee County finance panel authorizes final ARPA administrative payouts to trigger federal closeout
Summary
The Lee County Finance Committee voted to pay roughly $30,000 in remaining ARPA administrative costs by March 31 so the county can report a zero balance and request federal closeout; staff warned of a separate potential $238,000 insurance reserve assessment.
The Lee County Finance Committee on Wednesday authorized staff to pay remaining administrative costs tied to the county's $6.6 million American Rescue Plan Act award so the county can submit a federal closeout report showing a $0 balance.
Sarah (county finance staff) told the committee that all ARPA projects have been obligated and only administrative funds remain. “We have to fully expend those, no later than December 31 of this year,” she said, and Treasury has begun issuing closeout-report guidance on a rolling basis. Sarah said paying the remaining administrative funds before March 31 would allow the county to report a zero ARPA balance on its April filing and trigger the closeout process earlier.
Why it matters: closing out ARPA funds removes ongoing reporting burden and reduces the chance of federal recapture if Treasury later questions obligations. Committee members emphasized this is a timing/housekeeping item and not a new budget request; the funds are fully budgeted.
The committee moved to authorize Sarah to make the payouts. Reid Acree moved the motion; a member identified as Andersen seconded it; the chair called for a voice vote and the motion carried.
During the same discussion, Administrator Jeremy alerted the panel to an unrelated but consequential funding issue: the county's health-insurance pool (referenced in the packet as IBPC) informed members of possible reserve shortfalls. Jeremy said the pool was requesting member payments to restore reserves and that Lee County's share could be about $238,000. He said staff will meet the pool's executive director to learn why the shortfall occurred and that the insurance committee and county staff will seek alternative quotes and review options.
What happens next: Sarah and Patty will process the administrative payout before March 31 if authorized; the county will file the April ARPA report and expect Treasury closeout correspondence. Staff will report back to finance about the insurance-pool meeting and any recommended budget actions.
Ending: The committee approved the ARPA administrative payout by voice vote and asked staff to return with any further information about the insurance reserve issue at a future meeting.
