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HomeAppleton City Council Meetings & OrdinancesOh Where, Oh Where, Can Appleton’s ARPA Money Be?

Oh Where, Oh Where, Can Appleton’s ARPA Money Be?

I would like to start by thanking the City of Appleton’s Finance Director, Ms. Jeri Ohman, who kindly answered my questions, patiently guiding me through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) data.

In 2021 the City of Appleton was awarded $14,891,841 in Federal ARPA money. This money was given in two tranches 2021/2022. (See Program Budget Summary below.) Money must be obligated by December 21, 2024 with spending completed by December 21, 2026. The Federal Government provided guidelines to the City on contract specifications, reporting requirements, and responsibilities of Federal as well as City oversite of projects. No paying down of debt or pension fund catch-up was allowed.

As of June 30, 2022 only $2,521,154.16 has actually been paid out, with another $2,049,517.33 having been obligated, leaving a whopping $10,321,169.51 still in the pipeline. Appleton Concerned Taxpayers (ACT) asked the question “what will happen if all the money is not obligated by Dec. 21, 2024”? The city is confident of meeting this deadline with approved projects. ACT plans to keep an eye on this process to ensure Appleton not only meets the obligation deadline, but receives real “value” from the ARPA money.

Below is an overview of approved and proposed spending. Note that the approved 2021 spending is all city spending while the 2022 proposed spending primarily involves outside agencies and non-government organizations. Project proposals are still under review as they track through the city’s oversite obligation.

 

City of Appleton
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)
Program Budget Summary

The City of Appleton approved 2021 expenditures totaling $6,891,841 as follows:

COVID-19 response $1,991,841
Lost Revenue – Parking Utility $1,500,000
Lead Service line replacement $1,000,000
Library – Broadband Access $2,000,000
Short-term Community Partners Support $   250,000
Consulting/Admin. Support for 2022 Projects $   150,000
Total: $6,891,841

 

2022 Proposed Expenditures > $15,000 totaling $8,000,000 as follows:

Housing Affordability $3,000,000
Local economic recovery $1,000,000
Social Infrastructure $1,000,000
Community wellness, Mental Health
& Violence Protection
$1,000,000
Arts, Culture & Education Institutions $   500,000
Early Childhood Development $1,500,000
Total: $8,000,000

 

Again, my thanks to Finance Director Ohman. If you have questions, suggestions, or concerns over Appleton’s use of this ARPA money, you are encouraged to contact the Office of the Mayor or any of the 15 City Council members. Contact information is available at the city website: Appleton.org

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