Jasper County obligates remainder of its ARPA funds

Jasper County officially obligated the remainder of its American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds during the Dec. 31 meeting, which effectively distributed more than $900,000 to a number of different causes. The board of supervisors was required to commit its federal relief money before the start of the New Year.

County Auditor Jenna Jennings said the county received a total of $7.2 million in ARPA funds, which have been spent on numerous projects over the past few years. All of the money has to be spent by Dec. 31, 2026. New guidelines required the county to pass memorandums of understanding to commit funding.

Four memorandums of understanding were passed individually by the board of supervisors, and each one distributed funds to specific projects.

Jasper County Conservation received $174,005.10 to construct a second cabin at the Bison Ridge Campground in Mariposa Park for recreational purposes; conservation also received $400,000 to go towards the Dana King Ceretti Environmental Education Center for future expansion on programs and services.

The lowest remaining amount obligated was to secondary roads department, which coincidentally received the largest allocation in ARPA funds at $3.4 million. The engineer was provided the remaining $9,014.73, which will go towards the construction of a shop for the first phase of the Liberty Avenue Yard project.

Jasper County Emergency Management was obligated the fourth memorandum of understanding, which set aside $320,000 to go towards enhancing emergency medical services in the county through training programs, equipment, personnel or remodeling the emergency room at MercyOne Newton Medical Center.

In total, $903,019.83 was obligated to these causes. All four memorandums of understanding were passed in 3-0 votes from the supervisors. Jennings said once memorandums of understanding are passed they cannot deviate from the plan, or else the money will be reclaimed by the federal government.