County Board Mulling How To Spend $3-Million In Federal Recovery Funds

Plenty of Mercer County Board discussion involving American Rescue Plan Act or ARPA funding, which is federal money stemming from the coronavirus pandemic. Mercer County government will receive $3 million in total. On Tuesday, the board deliberated on $461,000 going to the health department–$400,000 for salaries and $61,000 for a security system. They tabled the salary portion but moved forward with the $61,000 for the security system. County Board Member Tim Arbet wants a strategic plan and public input on how the ARPA funding should be spent.

Kasi Henshaw was hired last month as ARPA Fund Coordinator for the county.

The $3-million has to be spent by 2024 and reported to the federal government by 2026.