As the deadline for government entities to use pandemic funds approaches, Budget Director Amanda Carter presented an update to commissioners Dec. 10 regarding how Montgomery County can use $2.35 million in remaining American Rescue Plan Act funds ahead of the Dec. 31 deadline.

Two-minute impact

Montgomery County received $117.9 million in ARPA funds in 2021 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic with the caveat that any funding not obligated by December 2024 and spent by the end of 2025 must be returned to the U.S. Treasury.

As of Dec. 10, the county has $2.35 million in ARPA funds left to be allocated by Dec. 31 to prevent the return of the funds. Carter walked commissioners through a number of projects that the funding could go toward, including:

• Tamina infrastructure project: $1.13 million for projected cost overruns
• Stormwater projects: $1.11 million for countywide drainage improvements
• IT: $1.07 million for cybersecurity improvements
• Mental health: $307,000 for new body cameras for mental health deputies

Carter said providing funding to the Tamina infrastructure project would be the top priority for using the funds, as work on the project is ongoing. However, Carter said the IT improvements are also a priority for the county.

Quote of note

“We know there is money available, and we really are trying to get to the finish line on some of these projects,” Carter said. “Again, we are 21 days out from the deadline.”

Stay tuned

The court requested Carter present the final estimated costs for the Tamina and IT infrastructure projects during the next court session Dec. 17, at which point commissioners will decide on which projects the remaining ARPA funding will be used for.