Council makes wish list for ARPA funds

The City Council tentatively approved a list of items the City plans to purchase with leftover funds from the American Rescue Plan Act [ARPA], a federal stimulus bill designed to help state and local governments struggling to fund operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ARPA sent $350 million in emergency funding to state and local governments in 2021 to help with public health and economic recovery issues pertaining to COVID. Any remaining funds must be “obligated” by Dec. 31, 2024 and spent by Dec. 31, 2026, according to the National League of Cities.

The City of Olney has $602,757.02 remaining ARPA funds, City Administrator Arpegea Pagsuberon told the Council at the April 24 meeting. The City prioritized equipment needed by the Olney Police and Public Works departments. The OPD will receive three new patrol vehicles to replace vehicles whose leases are expiring, as well as two ballistic shields to use in case of an active shooter situation, Chief Dan Birbeck said. The Public Works Department asked for equipment and personnel to help map the City’s underground utility lines to repair and widen the alleys, including ground penetrating radar and a contract employee to operate it, a clamp bucket, valve exerciser, a dump trailer, an asphalt roller, a valve exerciser to move sticky water line valves, and a new 2023 Chevy Silverado 2500, 4WD Extended Cab wand a utility bed for organizing tools. The Council also approved $40,000 for labor to build out a new police station inside the former Ranger College building on Grand Avenue. The Council also tentatively approved the purchase of new air tanks for the Olney Volunteer Fire Department and Public Works Department. Mayor Pro Tem Tom Parker instructed Mrs. Pagsuberon to price a radar trailer for catching speeders, and digital handheld radios to replace the OVFD’s analog radios. Mrs. Pagsuberon said the City will use the TIPS government purchasing cooperative to purchase most of the items.