Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Arpa Water Funding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves amendment to Yakima County ARPA agreement to preserve $500,000 for water projects
Summary
Mabton council approved Amendment No. 1 to agreement #38264 with Yakima County to preserve a $500,000 ARPA allocation for water-source and treatment work and to buy staff time to seek alternative funding; council voted to approve the amendment by voice vote.
The Mabton City Council on May 12 approved Amendment No. 1 to Agreement No. 38264 with Yakima County, authorizing steps to preserve $500,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for water projects and to give the city additional time to secure appropriate uses.
Jamin, who briefed council during the meeting, said the amendment provides flexibility and time to identify the best path for the money and explained the county was offering nonrestricted interest funds to ease federal-spending deadlines. “They've made $2,000,000 of interest on it,” he said, describing how the county can repackage interest revenue so municipalities have leeway to meet timing constraints.
Council members discussed whether the funds should be limited to new wells or broader water-source and treatment work; staff said the county and state award language can constrain eligible uses and that modifications may require additional requests to the administering agencies. Council member Olivares said the city should prioritize source and treatment improvements; another council member agreed that source capacity was the city's top need.
The motion to approve Amendment No. 1 to Agreement No. 38264 was moved by Council member Sotelo and seconded by Council member Zavala; the motion carried by voice vote. The action preserves the $500,000 while staff completes technical analysis and pursues other funding sources.
