Elko Council accepts final ARPA spending report, records infrastructure and health investments

Elko City Council on Feb. 18 accepted the City’s final report on American Rescue Plan Act spending, closing out programs that funded local infrastructure, business relief and a new behavioral health inpatient unit.

City staffer Julie (presenting) told the council the city received $2,400,000 in ARPA funds and also used a $10,000,000 government revenue-replacement deduction that freed local dollars for recovery work. That approach allowed more than $5,000,000 for community support to impacted industries, about $2,000,000 directed to the airport, $1,000,000 to Elko’s water fund for infrastructure, and $500,000 for small-business grants.

Julie outlined major capital projects funded or partially funded by the allocations: a hospital second-water-source project ($2,900,000 allocated), a transmission/secondary supply near I-80 Exit 298 (about $3.4M allocated, ~$3.7M total cost), the Algo Mountain pump station and water line (just over $2M allocated), and a large South-side transmission line and road base work (allocation above $8,000,000; total cost shown at ~$10.1M). She also said $500,000 went to Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital to support opening a 16‑bed inpatient behavioral health unit.

The presenter said the city has submitted required federal reports and is awaiting formal closeout from federal authorities, but council voted to accept the allocations as the city’s final ARPA accounting.

Mayor Reese Keener thanked staff for the work of complying with complex federal requirements and council approved the final report on a unanimous voice vote.

What’s next: staff will continue required quarterly reporting until the federal closeout is completed and will provide additional details in budget presentations as needed.