It’s a lucky problem to have, but county commissioners came to the realization on Monday that it isn’t easy to give away $2.4 million.
And it will be especially difficult considering they’ve already had requests for $4.8 million — more than double the amount available.
To help them figure it out, commissioners hired Thrive Allen County to administer the federal relief funds through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
They’ll also set an Oct. 12 deadline for groups to apply for the money.
The funds come to Allen County, and other cities and counties across the U.S., to help recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. They can be used for projects essential to public safety, public health, health care and human services. Infrastructure projects, for example, are considered essential.
Allen County received $1.2 million in the first disbursement. It will get another $1.2 million next year. Commissioners have until 2024 to spend the money, and until 2026 to complete projects.
So far, 20 groups have asked for help. Requests have ranged from remodeling offices to improved mental health services to upgrades for water systems, and more.
Groups have included cities and school districts, rural water districts and regional non-profits.
Even something as simple as setting a deadline came with plenty of questions.
Should they set a deadline to consider requests for $1.2 million – the amount they have on hand – and a second deadline next year for the next round? Would groups that have already made requests need to reapply next year?
Or should they earmark the entire $2.4 million now?
But what if a need develops between now and then? Would that be considered?
Commissioners David Lee and Jerry Daniels wanted to only consider the $1.2 million now available and open the process again next year.
“What I don’t want to do is eliminate a need for something we don’t yet know about,” Lee said.
Chairman Bruce Symes wanted to look at the entire amount. His general thinking was that it might be easier to approve a bigger piece of the pie — i.e., fund a bigger project — when considering the entire pie, rather than half of it.
