Nicole Little, the city's business process analyst, broke down a broad list of possibilities during the meeting and told officials the city is eligible for up to $6.1 million. Council was measured in its feedback to Little, for the most part stressing a need to research and do due diligence toward the city's key needs.
Little said as clarification on allowable use guidance for ARPA funds is being requested by governments nationwide, the U.S. Treasury Department will open the portal to apply for the funds this summer.
She also recommended holding the funding when allocated to pursue competitive grants and said some of them include opportunities to underwrite capital improvements as well as public safety and library initiatives.
Among marquee topics of discussion by officials were water utilities and road infrastructure as well as broadband infrastructure.
"It's not a bad idea to see if we can alleviate some of these issues," Council Member Rudy Metayer said.
When allocated, the money will almost double a $3.5 million dispersal of Coronavirus Relief Funds the city received in March 2020. The bulk of that sum was used toward economic support grants and payroll related to the COVID-19 response, according to the city.
