Board approves ARPA budget realignment; manager says $62.5 million allocated to local projects

The Durham County Board of Commissioners approved an ARPA budget reconciliation and ordinance amendment (item 24-0742) intended to realign funds to final project authorizations and approve related contract amendments.

County Manager Hager, who led the presentation, said the county "had in total $62,500,000" in ARPA funds and outlined major allocations: $13.1 million for a Slater Road water and sewer investment, $13.5 million in partnership with the City of Durham for five affordable-housing developments with at least 30 years of affordability commitments, and nearly $2.4 million for food security and a similar amount for child services. Hager said about 50 projects are in progress and that contracts needed to be encumbered by federal deadlines to comply with U.S. Treasury guidance.

Hager also explained staff may realign dollars among categories if contracts cannot be completed on schedule and described internal and external audit controls to reduce the risk of federal noncompliance. He told commissioners the county would avoid ‘‘gray areas’’ and shift funds where necessary to protect the board and minimize Treasury audit risk.

Commissioners moved the ordinance amendment, and the motion passed on a voice vote. Manager Hager said two related items—one reducing an enterprise-fund allocation and increasing ARPA for a large capital project (the overall project was described as about $22,000,000) and another capital realignment removing $307,428 in ARPA for timing reasons—would follow for separate board action and continued oversight.