Newton allocates remainder of ARPA funds to golf course clubhouse

Since all local governments must obligate American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds by the end of the year or return the remainder to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the Newton City Council on Dec. 2 voted unanimously in favor of allocating more than $160,000 to the Westwood Golf Course Clubhouse project.

Which means the clubhouse will have received the majority of the city’s more than $2.27 million share of ARPA funding. About 57 percent of the ARPA funds have gone toward the clubhouse project, which is currently being constructed. The remaining 43 percent has been divided out to four other causes.

According to city documents, about $168,000 went toward the administration of the program; about $160,000 went toward fire building improvements and equipment; about $165,000 went toward police vehicles and equipment; and more than $464,000 went toward the West Fourth Street South construction.

Following council action last week, the clubhouse has been allocated more than $1.31 million in ARPA funds. The council decided to allocate more than $16,000 to the clubhouse and relocate more than $85,000 from the West Fourth Street South project and more than $58,000 from administration of the program.

The city concluded the West Fourth Street South project came in under budget and thus had some unspent funds, which are now going toward the clubhouse.

Here is the total allocation of the city’s $2,270,057.34 in ARPA funding:

• $160,929 for fire building improvements and equipment.

• $165,300 for police vehicles and equipment.

• $168,340.21 for administration of the program.

• $464,791.38 for West Fourth Street South construction.

• $1,310,696.75 for the Westwood Golf Course Clubhouse project.