Commission redesignates $40,000 in ARPA funds to attorney and non-departmental budgets

The Morgan County Commission voted Aug. 19 to redesignate $40,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds that had been budgeted for a future code rewrite, moving $20,000 to the county attorney's budget and $20,000 to a non-departmental account to cover the cost of a recent audit and outside legal fees.

County staff explained the code rewrite will be completed after the general plan update, and ARPA funds need to be designated for specific uses and spent within the federal/state timelines. Because the ARPA designation must be made this year and the code rewrite timing shifted, staff requested the transfer so the money can be used for current attorney needs and for covering audit-related expenses.

Commissioners asked whether outside attorney fees already paid or anticipated would qualify for ARPA designation. Staff confirmed that at least one outside attorney, Dean Saunders, had expenses that were being charged to ARPA. The commission approved the reallocation by motion and vote.

The transfer was made as a re-designation of planned ARPA uses rather than a permanent general-fund appropriation; staff said they will ensure the charges are eligible under ARPA rules and will report back as needed.