Commissioners debate reallocating $132,008 in leftover ARPA funds to Westmoreland EMS

Mr. Jones pressed county staff for details on resolution 26-04-21, which would authorize $132,008.70 and 24¢ in leftover funds from various projects to be applied to the Westmoreland EMS project.

"Why is this necessary for the EMS project?" Jones asked, noting the amount appeared substantial and asking whether it covered overruns or was otherwise the best use of the funds.

County staff said the allocation is tied to ARPA-eligible projects and that some projects produced leftover funds while other line items experienced price increases. Staff described changes in location and scope for the Westmoreland station that allowed previously excluded scope items to be reinserted, producing the current funding need.

"We moved at one point, I think the station moved to a new spot," a staff member said, and as a result some originally scoped items were pulled and later reinserted when the location changed again.

Commissioners asked whether using ARPA funds here reduces county capital obligations or is covering true overruns; staff said the money is being ‘parked’ under the project line now and could be moved later if necessary.

What’s next: The resolution to allocate the leftover ARPA funds was presented in the agenda discussion and remains recorded for the commission’s action. Staff indicated additional project documentation is available through the county’s project coordinators and finance office.