When local governments across the country learned they would be getting millions of dollars under the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, it was a lot like winning the lottery.
The prospects of spending freely for governments who, by necessity had generally practiced austerity, represented a pleasant turn of events and plenty of temptations.
Local governments were cautioned to carefully consider how that money would be spent since the kind of windfall ARPA represented would not come again. Investing in projects that would endure well into the future, though costly, was considered the wise course of action.
Of particular merit were projects for repairing, replacing or expanding infrastructure that, until ARPA funds arrived, were deemed prohibitively expensive. Water, sewer and stormwater abatement may not be flashy, but each has an impact on public health, economic development and quality of life.
As an incentive to pursue these projects, state and some federal matching funds were made available, allowing local governments to do more than they could on their own.
Our local governments have devoted the bulk of their ARPA money to those kinds of projects and should be commended for that.
Even so, most of the money is still in the bank and available should our elected officials be confronted with a short-term crisis or an emerging need. Around budget time, when the wish list always seems to be more than revenue can support, the temptation to dip into those resources can be powerful. Ethel Stewart – and to a lesser degree Rusty Greene – suggested dipping into ARPA funds to purchase trucks and other equipment during a Tuesday night special call meeting of the council.
At this point, we don’t know if the suggestion will be treated by the full council and mayor as a serious proposal or simply thinking out loud.
What we do know is that it would be a mistake. First, any diversion of ARPA funds that would jeopardize matching funds is a price too steep to pay.
Second, we believe that ARPA funds are best used on projects that will benefit our communities for decades to come. Infrastructure projects will do that. Equipment purchases will not.
We don’t question that the city may need this equipment, but using ARPA money is a short-sighted and temporary solution.
Chances are, all of our local governments will face the kind of temptation we saw Tuesday evening.
We urge our local governments to avoid such temptations and maintain the long view for how best to use these funds for the maximum long-term benefit to our communities.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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