Albany County reallocates unspent ARPA funds to senior meals and mental‑health projects

The Audit & Finance Committee approved a reallocation of unspent ARPA funds on March 21, directing balances from seven completed internal projects and two external projects that could not finish their awards to other previously obligated projects with substantially similar scope, officials said.

Marty Dolan, a grants specialist in the county Department of Management and Budget, said staff followed U.S. Treasury guidance that allows unspent ARPA funds to be reallocated to previously obligated projects with substantially similar scope. Departments identified opportunities to absorb the funds, and the recommended recipients include the Department of Aging’s “gold meals for seniors” program and a mental‑health suicide‑awareness project, Dolan said.

Committee members voted to approve the reallocations. The presenter said staff had reached out to internal department heads to identify projects that could incorporate additional funds.

The county will publish implementation details and reporting requirements for each recipient department as funds are transferred.