ARPA request applications now available

Guidelines for public or private organizations wishing to request a portion of the American Rescue Plan Act money granted to Crook County are now available on the county website.

After a public hearing, the county commissioners approved the proposed rules that the county will use to guide distribution of the remaining funding left in its coffers, as well as the second installment of just under a quarter million dollars that’s expected later this year.

The county has been working to devise an application process for entities with projects they believe are eligible for pandemic-related funding. Approved were the relevant documents for an entity wishing to apply, including the application form, certification form, checklist, eligible expenses guide, invoice and voucher.

This process will be used to allocate funds before the December, 2024 deadline.

Requests can come from governmental agencies, such as the offices within the courthouse, but can also come from outside parties, such as nonprofits or other county entities.

ARPA funding has been allocated to the county through the Corona virus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds program, which is delivering $350 billion to state, local and tribal governments to support their response to and recovery from the pandemic.

Projects funded through the county’s allocation so far include premium pay of $200 per month for county staff who worked through the pandemic; repair work for the sewer line at the county library and the plumbing in the jail; an E-911 system; and a new communications tower for emergency service radios.