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City attorney: state sought repayment on hospital ARPA money; city submitted utility invoices to reduce liability
Summary
City Attorney Beth Anne Childs told the Hospital Authority the state initially sought "a little over $2 million" in ARPA repayments but the figure "has been twiddled down to about $1.4 million" as the city and state review invoices; the city has submitted utility invoices and is awaiting state review.
City Attorney Beth Anne Childs briefed the Bristow Hospital Authority on the status of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) fund reconciliation tied to the hospital remodel. Childs said earlier submissions to the state led to a request that the city "had to repay a little over $2 million back," and that subsequent review "has been twiddled down to about $1.4 million they were asking for back."
Childs said the city has been working with state representatives and that an April meeting at the Capitol initiated a detailed invoice review. For several months the state did not respond, Childs said, but in September the state allowed Bristow to submit utility invoices. Treasurer Ashley Hinshaw compiled totals for water, sewer and trash and several invoices have been submitted; the city is awaiting state review. Childs said if the invoices are approved the city "will be even with them," and if not the city "should owe them very little."
Why this matters: If the state ultimately requires repayment, the city could face a material fiscal obligation tied to prior ARPA reimbursements and the hospital remodel. The attorney's account describes an ongoing reconciliation process rather than a final determination; the minutes record review activity and invoice submissions but do not show a final liability or a state decision at the meeting.
