Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Arpa Funding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Benton County pledges ARPA funds to Big Sandy, North Utility District and volunteer fire departments; several smaller appropriations pass
Summary
The commission pledged ARPA funds — $500,000 to the City of Big Sandy, $500,000 to the North Utility District and $600,000 (split among local fire departments and the rescue squad) — and approved multiple smaller budget amendments and transfers on June 21, 2021.
The Benton County Board of Commissioners voted on a series of measures on June 21, 2021, that commit anticipated federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to local infrastructure and public-safety needs and approve several smaller budget amendments.
The commission approved a pledge of $500,000 to the City of Big Sandy to support a north-end sewer upgrade (Resolution 20210621-06). The resolution’s wording was amended in session to state that the county would "pledge" the funds, and the amended resolution passed on a roll-call vote of 16 Ayes, 1 Nay and 1 Absent.
A second ARPA pledge (Resolution 20210621-07) approved a $500,000 commitment to the North Utility District for water upgrades and expansion serving the south end of Benton County; the measure passed after amending the language to "pledge" and received unanimous recorded approval.
A third ARPA resolution (Resolution 20210621-08) pledged $600,000 to public safety: the mayor proposed $75,000 each to seven volunteer fire departments and the Benton County Rescue Squad. Commissioners rejected a motion to postpone but then approved the pledge as amended on a roll-call vote of 16 Ayes and 1 Nay.
In addition to the ARPA pledges, the commission approved multiple smaller budget items and transfers: budgeting $4,324.16 for the Sheriff’s Office revenues (20210621-09); budgeting $17,534.60 for a diabetes grant (20210621-10); appropriating shelter funds of $2,540 (20210621-11); several school-related grant and commodity adjustments (20210621-12 to 20210621-15); transfers for the purchase of sheriff safety vests ($10,656.25, 20210621-19); transfers to cover a $32,500 wage settlement liability with $22,500 moved from sheriff accounts into county liability (20210621-18); and other administrative transfers and vendor payments, including $15,268.51 to cover Barrett Group invoices related to hotel/motel tax revenue findings (20210621-21).
Most of these measures passed on roll-call votes recorded in the minutes. The record shows vote tallies where provided; when not listed in the record for a specific small-item motion the minutes report approval on roll call or voice vote.
