The Portage City Council approved a spending plan on Tuesday, Nov. 2 for the $8.3 million the city will receive in State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
The funding must be spent within U.S. Department of Treasury guidelines in four broad categories including COVID-19 mitigation and premium pay; infrastructure and IT improvements; community development and quality of life and revenue replacement.
SLFR funds cannot be used for road-related infrastructure, regular pay for non-COVID mitigating staff, to pay down debt or to purchase non-COVID related equipment, unless specifically allowed under the guidelines.
The city received approximately half of the funds earlier this summer and will receive the second half in the summer of 2022. According to the American Rescue Plan, municipalities must adopt spending plans prior to any of the funds being appropriated and spent.
The council earmarked just over $1.1 million for COVID-19 mitigation and premium pay. This includes city employee COVID-19 hazard pay of $1,000 per full-time employee; updates to city policy manuals; streaming equipment for city meetings; non-cash payment options; personal protective equipment and COVID-19 testing kits and grants to non-profit organizations.
Another $2.1 million has been earmarked for infrastructure and IT improvements for solar panels on city buildings; improvements to the sanitary plant; IT upgrades to city buildings and parks; compressed natural gas vehicles and cyber security insurance policy.
A final $5.1 million is being earmarked for community development and quality of life matters. This may include Founders Square and Central Avenue Plaza improvements; skatepark; YMCA community pool project; Portage library outdoor learning center; Woodland Park generator upgrade; electric vehicle charging stations; park benches and sustainable landscaping; Portage Marina kayak launch; Portage Marina fish cleaning station; Garyton Community Center and redevelopment of the former Portage Little League fields.
No funds were earmarked for the revenue replacement fund as the city has not yet lost revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The City of Portage believes community engagement is critical to the investments made with SLFR Funds. After the presentation of this initial plan, the city will place a call for additional project ideas and fund uses on the City’s website (www.portagein.gov) and social media. Additionally, residents are invited to submit suggestions to ARPFund@portage-in.com.
All funding decisions will be made in public meetings of the Common Council, where public input is welcomed and encouraged. All expenditures will require an additional appropriate process and a public hearing.
The City Council will consider the appropriation of the funds at its Dec. 7 meeting.
