A committee will be formed to decide how to move forward with spending $8.9 million in funds from the American Rescue Plan, as discussed during Monday morning’s joint session between the Marshall County Commissioners and Marshall County Council members.
Heidi Amspach from Baker Tilly went over a preliminary list of guidelines on how the county can spend the money. A committee of a few members, who have not been appointed yet, will first look at how funds can be used to respond to a public health emergency; county workers performing essential work; recover revenue losses; investments in water, sewer and broadband; and the transfer of funds to not-for-profit or special purpose unit of state or local government.
The county will receive the funds in two draws. One draw is in May of this year and the other is estimated to be drawn in May of 2022. All funds should be spent by December 31, 2024.
She stressed that a funding plan needs to be in place. The plan needs to be available for the State Board of Accounts when the budget is audited to ensure proper use of the funds.
While no solid plans have been made, Councilman Heath Thornton suggested working with Auditor Julie Fox first to determine where the county lost revenue in the budget due to COVID-19. They discussed highway funding, but Amspach noted that transportation relief money is the next to roll out that tentatively calls for money to be used for roads and bridges so the county could be assisted with lost revenue in that route.
The expansion of broadband in the county and work toward sewer conservation districts were initial ideas, but more work will come in the next few months to determine a plan on how to wisely spend the funds to assist the community.
The Marshall County Commissioners are anticipated to make some selections to the committee that may include commissioner and council representatives, Marshall County Public Health Officer Dr. Byron Holm, and broadband company representatives. There may be come collaboration in a regional effort to help funding go a little further.
