Buffalo County approves ARPA grants for YMCA daycare expansion and rent-and-utilities aid
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Summary
The Buffalo County Board approved ARPA contracts to fund Kearney Family YMCA renovations to add daycare classrooms and to provide rent and utilities assistance through Community Action Partnership of Mid‑Nebraska; one commissioner abstained on the latter vote.
The Buffalo County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 23 authorized the chair to execute two American Rescue Plan Act agreements to allocate county ARPA funds to local charitable organizations.
Ray Longoria, CEO of the Kearney Family YMCA, addressed the board before members voted to authorize an ARPA agreement with the YMCA to assist partial payment for renovating its existing structure to add daycare classrooms. The board approved the motion unanimously. Ivan Klein, chairman of the board, was authorized to sign the contract under Resolution 2022‑29, which the board entered into the record outlining the purpose of the funds to expand childcare capacity for residents affected by the COVID‑19 public health emergency.
Tammy Jeffs, Community Services Director for the Community Action Partnership of Mid‑Nebraska (MID), then described MID’s proposed use of ARPA funds to provide financial assistance for rent and utilities to Buffalo County residents. The board voted to authorize the chair to sign an ARPA agreement with MID under Resolution 2022‑30; the motion carried with six 'Aye' votes and one abstention from Commissioner Myron Kouba.
The resolutions entered standard ARPA findings, referencing Treasury guidance on allowable uses, and directed the chair to execute the respective agreements. The board did not specify dollar amounts for the two county allocations in the meeting minutes; contract details will be reflected in the executed agreements on file with the County Clerk.