Finance department reports ARPA pipeline: three projects remain with roughly $262,000 left to spend

The Portsmouth finance department updated the Town Council on May 11 on the status of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) projects and remaining balances.

According to the finance update, the town originally received nearly $5,150,000 in ARPA funds and has reported previously approved projects to the U.S. Treasury and the Rhode Island Department of Revenue. Staff said three projects remain open with the following approximate unspent balances: Prudence Island water system (~$218,139), Island Park (pipe realignment) (~$17,885) and the cesspool replacement grant program (~$26,541). Finance staff said they are coordinating with departments to submit final reimbursement requests and expect to expend the funds by the federal deadline of December 31, 2026.

Councilors asked whether the remaining project teams anticipate using their full allocations; staff (S12) said the departments expect to spend the funds. The finance presenter noted that any unspent money at the deadline must be applied to projects already approved by the council rather than used to create new projects.

What happens next: Finance staff will continue working with department leads to obtain reimbursements and, if necessary, reallocate leftover funds to previously approved projects to meet the federal expenditure deadline.