County Administrator Adam Payne outlined the County’s plans for use of American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) funds, made available by the federal government in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. His remarks were made before a “First Friday” meeting of the Sheboygan County Chamber of Commerce at the Elk’s Lodge on October 1.
Of the $1.9 Trillion allotted overall by Washington, $22.4 Million is coming to Sheboygan County, and $22 Million to the City of Sheboygan for a total allocation of $51.4 Million. Half of Sheboygan County’s allocation was received on May 19th this year, and funds must be spent by December 2026. The federal government stipulates that funds must be used to support public health response to COVID-19, address negative economic impacts, provide premium pay for essential workers, replace public sector revenue loss, and provide for water, sewer & broadband infrastructure.
Payne explained that in order to properly assign funds coming to the county, six ARPA taskforces have been assembled, addressing affordable housing, behavioral health & crisis response, broadband development, childcare, transportation, and workforce development. Each taskforce is to submit their reports by January of 2022. Their recommendations will be reviewed by Payne and Finance Director Wendy Charnon, then considered by the Liaison, Finance and Executive Committees, with resolutions referred to the County Board for final approval.
The various taskforces have already summarized issues that exist under their purview, and are on track to forward their recommendations for use of the funds by the deadline of January next year.
