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Commissioners reallocate $223,600 in ARPA funds to finish Nether Providence Public Works garage
Summary
The Nether Providence Board approved directing $223,600 in ARPA funds to cover a cost overrun for the township's Public Works garage, closing a funding gap after grants and a loan left the project short. Commissioners said the reallocation preserves borrowing options for stormwater work and leaves room for future grants.
The Nether Providence Township Board of Commissioners voted July 11 to direct $223,600 from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to close a funding gap for the township's Public Works garage.
Commissioner Cooper outlined the budget shortfall, saying construction bids, change orders and additional utility work raised the project's total to $1,323,657 while the combination of a $500,000 grant and a $600,000 loan left roughly $223,600 unfunded. "So I move that this amount be directed from our ARPA fund account to finalize the funding of the Public Works garage," Commissioner Cooper said during the Government Relations Committee report. The motion carried with no opposition recorded.
Commissioners discussed alternatives before the vote, including taking on additional debt or pursuing stormwater grants. Several members said redirecting ARPA funds was preferable to borrowing. "We want to start spending down our ARPA funds and this is a great project for that," one commissioner said, noting the board's desire to preserve ARPA for high-priority capital work while still seeking grant opportunities for stormwater projects.
Manager Grady and commissioners said the garage structure itself is substantially complete; remaining work includes utility connections and final site items. The board signaled staff will continue to pursue targeted stormwater grant opportunities rather than using the full ARPA allocation for non-garage projects.
The board did not name a specific department to replenish ARPA balances if future needs arise; commissioners indicated budget discussions and grant applications will guide any offsets. The vote followed standard roll-call voice voting with the board announcing the motion passed.
Next steps: staff will process the ARPA transfer to the project account and continue to pursue external grant funding for stormwater projects discussed during the meeting.
