Potter County adds four ARPA projects, approves 4‑H interlocal agreement

Potter County Commissioners on Oct. 28 approved adding four projects to the county’s State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF/ARPA) investment plan and authorized county staff to execute a related interlocal agreement for Potter 4‑H.

John Keel, representing the county ARPA committee, described the four recommended projects and the funding buckets the county will use. "That project's gonna run about $32,000," he said of the air‑filter replacement at the Santa Fe Building, and he cited estimated costs of about $248,000 for courtroom technology and about $250,000 for related expenses when final costs settle. Keel also outlined a Gemline Road paving project and a proposal to assist Potter 4‑H with demolition and site preparation.

Keel told the court that the county must obligate or spend certain SLFRF funds by year‑end to meet federal deadlines and that some costs already incurred can be charged to an appropriate bucket. Commissioners voted 5–0 to add the four projects to the county’s SLFRF plan and then approved an interlocal agreement to provide Potter 4‑H approximately $58,000 for demolition, storage pods and security fencing so the organization can prepare the site for a new multipurpose facility.

The approval authorizes the county judge to sign the interlocal agreement and directs staff to monitor grant obligations and carryforward rules for unspent funds. County staff said the committee will continue identifying allowable costs that can be obligated by Dec. 31 to avoid returning funds to the federal government.