During their meeting on Tuesday, the Colbert County commissioners are set to deliberate and cast votes on motions aimed at addressing any outstanding issues related to the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. This funding has been instrumental in helping local governments recover from financial setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is crucial for the commissioners to act promptly, as the ARPA funds must be allocated by December 31; otherwise, any unspent funds will be returned to the federal government. Furthermore, all projects financed through ARPA must reach completion by December 31, 2026.
Among the various initiatives supported by the approximately $10 million in ARPA funding received by the Colbert County Commission are the establishment of a new Emergency Management Agency and a Colbert 911 dispatch center. Additionally, the funding will facilitate the installation of a new water and sewer line to service the area, as well as enhancements to Rose Trail Park and Colbert Alloys Park. These projects represent just a fraction of the capital improvements made possible by the ARPA funds. However, there appears to be a discrepancy between the county’s accounting of the ARPA funds and the records maintained by the Investing in Alabama Counties (IAC), which has raised concerns among the commissioners.