Council reviews ARPA closeout ordinance to reallocate $713,000; members ask for more detail

Melanie Campbell, director-level staff in the Department of Finance, told the council the ordinance is part of the ongoing closeout of the city’s ARPA program as the city approaches the federal 12/31/2026 expenditure deadline. “As we approach the 12/31/2026 federal expenditure deadline, finance and law department continue to work with all our city departments to review remaining projects and ensure that the city's federal funds are fully expended,” Campbell said.

Campbell said the reallocation covers three projects—ARPA administration, the Healthy Food Systems Hub, and the Healthy Food Grocery Store construction incentive—with an adjustment totaling $713,000, about 0.4% of the Toledo Recovery Plan. Councilmembers asked several follow-ups: Councilwoman Crane sought confirmation that the full $713,000 will be spent on the plan’s projects, and Councilman Sarantu asked where the roughly $200,000 remainder would go; Campbell replied it would move into the general fund to offset administrative costs tied to ARPA work. Councilman Martinez pressed whether moving the dollars into the general fund removes ARPA restrictions; staff said once funds are appropriated into the general fund the federal ARPA timeline and restrictions no longer apply, and that future legislation authorizing program spending from the general fund will return to council for approval.

Multiple councilmembers requested additional transparency before advancing final action, asking for a referral and detailed breakdowns (including the interest earnings figure staff estimated to be “at least 4,000,000”). The chair recorded a first reading on the ordinance and the council moved on to related agenda items.