The Town of Hamlet is figuring out how to spend its share of federal COVID-19 stimulus money. The town council recently took action to create a fund in the town’s budget to accept almost $172,000 in American Rescue Plan money. Half of that will arrive this year and half next year.
The town is explicitly allowed to use that money for water and sewer infrastructure, and Water and Street Superintendent Kevin Leinbach has a list of things that need upgrades.
But that money may not be used for equipment, and Clerk-Treasurer Kristina Pitts is looking for clarification. “So I have another email out to State Board of Accounts, specifying more of what we’re thinking on doing,” she said.
Another, more open-ended, use for American Rescue Plan money is replacing lost revenue. The pandemic’s full impact on the town’s share of county income tax revenues isn’t expected until next year. Council President Dave Kesvormas said that’s the money Hamlet typically uses to help pay for paving projects.
