Madison County reallocates $682,500 in ARPA funds to finish Northern Madison County Fire Station

Madison County Fiscal Court on May 26 approved a resolution to reallocate $682,500 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds from a Madison County Utilities District pump-station project to the Northern Madison County Fire Station project.

Jill, a county staff member who presented the resolution, said the utilities district determined the pump-station improvements were at risk of not expending the allocated ARPA dollars by the federal deadline of 12/31/2026 and recommended reallocating the funds to the fire station. "The allocated funds for Madison County Utilities District was specific to two pump stations ... and they're at risk of not being completed," Jill said. She added that reallocating the funds will prevent the county from losing federal dollars and that some portions of the utilities work will still be completed under different funding arrangements.

A magistrate who spoke in favor of the resolution described the move as preserving federal funds for county priorities: "So we're diverting those, and that may not be the proper word. But we're reallocating them ... So that's a win win," the magistrate said.

County staff told the court they expect some components of the pump-station projects to be finished but that lead times on certain elements mean the original ARPA allocations could not be fully expended on schedule. Jill said reallocating ARPA funds to the fire station will reduce the amount of general-fund money needed for that public-safety project.

The resolution takes effect immediately upon adoption. The court approved the measure by roll-call vote.