City council begins process of spending $29M in federal money

timesrecord.com

Wichita Falls City Council members have begun tackling the city's finances for the coming fiscal year. 

Plans for spending $29 million from the federal government's American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) was up for discussion in a special meeting Tuesday. 

The city staff has prepared a wish list they believe meets important city needs and complies with ARPA requirements. The city also asked for residents' suggestions on ways to spend the money. 

City staff recommends spending the largest chunk of the cash on renovations at Memorial Auditorium  ($12,500,000), which brought up the needs of other city facilities from Councilor Bobby Whiteley.

"I know there's other city facilities in really, really dire need of repair. I'm curious if under this current list this is what we're going to try to do?" he asked.

City Manager Darron Leiker said an excess fund balance or a future bond issue might be used to shore up buildings like aging police and fire department structures.

The staff list would also designate significant amounts on new turf for the city athletic complex ($3,300,000), downtown streetlamps ($2,000,000) and funding for nonprofits ($1,500,000). 

Water Department and Fire Department equipment got a preliminary nod for a total of about $3,700,000. The staff also recommended tucking away several million dollars for future capital infrastructure, capital equipment, and contingency needs.

Councilor Larry Nelson asked about including body cameras for police officers on the list to avoid litigation problems for the city.

"I think that should be a high priority. I didn't know the police was running around without those cameras on them," he said.

Leiker said those might be obtained with money from the fund balance and Police Chief Manuel Borrego said grant money might be used.

"Why don't we just do it here and make it so?" Nelson replied.

Councilor Michael Smith suggested using the money staff recommended stashing away for future capital expenses to "meet all the needs, but maybe at different funding levels."

Residents who participated in a public non-scientific survey about ARPA money were most interested in improvements to streets, the water and sewer system and parks. Leiker said some of those suggestions are not eligible for ARPA money.

Leiker said the resolution passed by councilors Tuesday was only to allow the city staff to move forward on the listed projects.

"This is the beginning point. Every one of these for the most part will require additional council action," Leiker said.

Spending of ARPA money has to be committed by 2024 and must be spent by 2026.