Funding questions as city looks for improvements

Pleasanton Express
By Pleasanton Express Staff 
DANIEL ELIZONDO, MANAGING EDITOR
August 16, 2023

Improvements are at the forefront for the City of Jourdanton, however funding is becoming a real concern for the municipality which is struggling financially in many areas.

In the midst of discussions at last week’s meeting on street and road improvements, COVID money was brought up as a possible solution.

During a discussion, council members asked about monies distributed during the pandemic in an effort for funding aid, however City Manager Bobby Martinez stated that the city does not have access to accounts associated with those funds.

“We don’t have the IDs and passwords,” he said during the Aug. 7 Jourdanton City Council meeting. “My last recollection of that account was that the council, at one time, dedicated those monies for streets, water and wastewater utilities. So that’s what I saw on the initial documentation that was submitted to the government that we need to confirm.”

Martinez’s comment about not having a password to access the “relief fund” account caused a stir in the packed council chambers amongst those in attendance.

On March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) was signed into law, delivering $65.1 billion of direct and flexible aid to America’s cities and towns.

ARPA was signed into law to respond to the economic and public health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, to avoid being required to repay the funds, it is important that all spending complies with the act and subsequent regulations.

The Pleasanton Express reported that the City of Jourdanton received $960,000 as a part of the ARPA funding. The National League of Cities website elevated that figure to $1,091,497 for the City of Jourdanton.

Recipients must use ARPA funds to address eligible costs incurred during the period of March 3, 2021 through Dec. 31, 2024. The funds must be obligated for spending by Dec. 31, 2024, and must be spent by Dec. 31, 2026. Costs for projects incurred before March 3, 2021 are not eligible for reimbursement.

Recipients may use funds to replace lost public sector revenue, support the COVID-19 public health and economic response, provide premium pay for eligible workers performing essential work and invest in water, sewer and broadband infrastructure.

Cities also received Corona Virus Relief Fund (CARES Act). Jourdanton was awarded $194,808.35. These payments from the Coronavirus Relief Fund could only be used to cover expenses that were incurred during the period that begins on March 1, 2020 and ends on December 31, 2022. There has been no response on how the city used this money.