Minnehaha County receives over $100 million in requests for federal COVID-relief money
Minnehaha County has received more than $100 million in requests for American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds — nearly triple the amount the county has to actually disburse.
At Tuesday's meeting, the county auditor's office briefed the commission on evaluations done on external and internal requests to identify projects and uses that qualify under current ARPA guidelines. The more than $100 million in requests came from the sheriff's office, juvenile detention center, Minnehaha Community Water Corp. and various county departments.
"(A) $112 million roughly asked, and $37 million need is great, and resources are limited," said commissioner Dean Karsky.
The county must commit to spending a total of $37.5 million in federal COVID-relief funding by Dec. 31, 2024, or expended by Dec. 31, 2026. Limitations on the use of ARPA money are based on the Interim Final Rule covering ARPA funds and FAQ documents from the Treasury, said Susan Beaman, finance and budget officer at the auditor's office.
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External requests involve funding for rural community water projects, like improved water distribution and storage, which total to $66 million. Internal requests involve funding for jail salaries related to COVID management, mental health counselors for the jail and juvenile detention center, facility COVID mitigation improvements, contributions to The Link, burial expense reimbursements and potential administrative cost recapture.
The JDC also requested ARPA funding for substance abuse training from 2022 to 2024 and camera and body protection equipment to handle the increase in mental health holds.
Internal uses could either free up general fund budgets, or fund projects and expansion of services, and could be expanded depending on amendments to ARPA guidelines pending in the U.S. House. The potential expansion of internal uses if the ARPA guideline changes pass the House include road and bridge infrastructure and general services.
If legislation passes, $21.3 million of the $37.5 million could be used on new expenses, allowing the county more flexibility and autonomy on dispersing the funds.
"We'll play it by ear and we'll see what legislation does," said Karsky.
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The county auditor's office outlined $21.25 million in internal funding uses under the proposed changes, which could potentially go to the replacement project of the JDC, road and bridge infrastructure, general services, fairground improvements and information technology projects. They also outlined $1.1 million in reimbursement expenses to the county for 2021.
The next work session about the issue is expected to be held on the second Tuesday in January.
Email human rights reporter Nicole Ki at nki@argusleader.com or follow on Twitter at @_nicoleki.
This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Minnehaha County received more than $100M in requests for ARPA funds
