The Starke County Council unanimously approved the American Rescue Plan Act ordinance Monday afternoon.
Auditor Rachel Oesterreich noted that the county has received the entire $4.4 million expected from the federal government.
About $1 million will be used for the improvement of county infrastructure and engineering costs, $100,000 for document preservation, $100,000 for community projects, $200,000 for economic development, and $3 million for lost revenue. Oesterreich said the money in lost revenue can be spent on anything that the county was going to spend money on during the pandemic.
American Rescue Plan Act funding cannot be used for pension funds, debt service or replenishment of financial reserves, settlements and judgments, or any other violation of the terms and conditions under the federal government.
So far, requests have been made by the Starke County Sheriff’s Department for two vehicles, body cameras, and 911 dispatchers. The Starke County Highway Department requested $600,000 for road funding, the Starke County Recorder requested funding for scanning documents, and Coroner Jack Rosa for a cot and other supplies. However, the Starke County Council has not formally voted to appropriate the funds for many of the requests.
The county has until December 31, 2024 to obligate the funds and until December 31, 2026 to spend the funds.
The commissioners previously unanimously approved the ordinance.
