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Established in March 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) approved a $1.9 trillion federal relief package in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The act aids American families, small businesses, industries and local governments.
Under the act, almost 20% of the funds were allocated to state, local and tribal governmental entities. The US Treasury will disburse the funds over two years (May 2021 and May 2022). The funds must be allocated by 2024 and spent by 2026.
According to the guidelines, ARPA may be be used to:
• Replace Public Sector Revenue Loss (to provide government services to the extent of the reduction in revenue experienced due to the pandemic);
• Support Public Health Response (fund Covid-19 mitigation efforts, medical expenses, behavioral healthcare, and certain public health and safety staff);
• Address Negative Economic Impacts (Respond to economic harms to workers, families, small businesses, impacted industries, and the public sector. Allows premium pay for essential workers); and
• Water, Sewer, and Broadband Infrastructure (Make necessary investments to improve access to clean drinking water, invest in wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, and expand broadband access).
Local share
The City of Marble Falls received $1.74 million (approximately $250 per capita).
My initial reservations were that Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton had shared with the counties and cities that he felt like there were strings attached to this money. However, my main reason is this: “free” money isn’t free.
Someone has to pay for this, and I don’t want this to one day fall on my children or grandchildren
From my understanding, this money may be used for those who have been distressed under the Covid-19 pandemic. There are many other uses that it can be used for that can serve the public such as the Avenue K leak that is destroying the road.
The city has been trying to find out where the water is coming from. My understanding the funds could be used for this repair.
City’s ARPA list
As of now, we’ve used it for generators. After the winter storm, we realized that we had a responsibility to meet the needs for power by the citizens. We also used it for a drainage project to reduce flooding in residential areas.
Along 1431 West, the water was encroaching on and flooding the creeks that run through the west side of town, so we did a project to divert that water.
Recovery funds
At the April 19 city council meeting, the city staff announced they want the council to vote on what to do with the remaining $138,350 of these funds.
From what I understand, the recommendation is to use some of it for a broadband project, which I am okay with, but the remaining amount is going to be dispersed amongst the city employees as a one-time stipend.
Impact tally
During the shutdown, all city employees got their paychecks, overtime, benefits and merit increases.
The city had very safe precautions, which I am in favor of, and many of us were able to stay home and work remotely. Every employee – not just our first responders – was paid on time, and without hiccups.
There are too many unanswered questions. If this proposal goes forward in the next council meeting on May 3rd how does the city plan to disperse the funds? Is this an even split? A percentage based on salary? Salary vs hourly? Full time vs part time?
Those details were not given at the last council meeting on Tuesday (April 19). This is another example of where we could have more transparency. Are directors getting more than hourly? Are first responders getting more than the parks department? If the vote is passed, the funds should be dispersed on an even playing field.
Community involvement
My job is to represent Marble Falls, even when my voice isn’t the most popular in the room. I desire to see less government overreach, and more involvement in the community. This “free money” is a perfect opportunity to share with the citizens who suffered the most through the pandemic. People have died, some are still suffering long term effects of Covid, mental health is in decline, drug use is increasing, businesses have had to temporarily close or shut its doors for good, schools had to go to remote learning, daycare centers closed, causing guardians to need to stay home.
The effects of Covid are so far-reaching. Everyone was touched by it. What I really want, and what I hope, is that the city council has looked outwards into the needs of our city and that they can confidently and truthfully tell their constituents that Marble Falls is not in need of this money. I’m not mad at them, I just feel like this is wrong. I don’t think we’re paying attention to the least of these. We’re eating ribeyes and giving everyone else bologna.