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Fox River Grove board reallocates ARPA funds after debate over infrastructure and social services
Summary
Trustees debated three proposed categories for $621,672 in American Rescue Plan funds and voted to adjust allocations, directing the largest share toward water/sewer infrastructure while preserving amounts for business assistance and senior programs.
Fox River Grove — The Village Board on May 17 approved a reallocation of remaining American Rescue Plan Act funds after a staff presentation and trustee discussion about priorities including water/sewer infrastructure, business assistance and senior programming.
Administrator Soderholm told trustees the village received a first ARPA payment of $310,836 in late 2021 and expects a second payment of the same amount in late 2022, for a combined total of $621,672; staff reported $282,000 of the first installment already went to business-assistance grants tied to Covid-19 impacts. Staff presented three eligible spending categories and suggested amounts for the remaining funds.
Trustees debated priorities. Trustee Jennifer Curtiss favored directing a majority toward water and sewer infrastructure while also maintaining senior programming. Trustee Steve Knar said he wanted most funding to go to water/sewer to help offset needed replacements of 100-year-old lines, citing concerns about fuel and supply costs; Trustee Melissa Schladt urged focusing on areas where the board can act directly, noting support for senior services. Trustee Sheri Sepeczi preferred keeping more money for seniors and questioned reallocating funds away from events.
Trustee Knar moved to accept the three proposed spending categories with revised funding amounts: $50,000 for Business Assistance/Relocation (Category 1), $25,000 for Fox River Grove Seniors (Category 2), and $264,181 for Water/Sewer Infrastructure (Category 3). Trustee Jennifer Curtiss seconded. Roll-call-style voice vote recorded five trustees (Curtiss, Knar, Migdal, Schladt and an affirmative voice) in favor and two trustees (Sepeczi and Wall) opposed; the motion passed.
The board did not direct a specific project list for the water/sewer category in the motion; staff will return with implementation options and timelines.
