The City of Valparaiso Released their decisions on where they are spending $7,653,012 of the Covid Relief Funds given to them from the Federal Government on Friday, March 25, 2022. This Resolution was voted on Monday, March 28th at 6pm and passed. Only $585,000 was spent on “public impact.”
The City of Valparaiso plans to respond to the negative economic impacts of the public health emergency, including assistance to households, small businesses, and nonprofits, or aid to impacted industries such as tourism, travel, and hospitality.
ARPA Stands For American Rescue Plan Act, also known as Rescue Money or Covid 19 Money.
According to City Councilman, Robert Cotton, District 2, “After months of dragging our heels, stating we have plenty of time, (2024) to consider what to do with these funds and till 2026 to expend them. Now, all of a sudden, we are confronted by an almost frenzied disposition to get these funds appropriated, and without any real interest to first seek meaningful input from knowledgeable stakeholders necessary to assess how best to allocate these funds,” stated Robert Cotton.
It was totally unreasonable for Jessen and Murphy to expect city council’s review of the portal data and respond within a week of receiving it. Clearly anyone who is genuinely interested in doing right by the terms and spirit of the ARPA guidelines, understands that a reasonable amount of time was necessary. To first unbundle the seemingly rigged portal data and then engage with respondents for details in support their proposals. That said, my attempt to schedule a pow wow with the Mayors during the week of the 21st was preempted by the mayors being unavailable. So we bumped our meeting up a week to March 30th. It’s pretty clear that being thorough, transparent and inclusive really doesn’t seem to matter at all,”
Robert Continued
According to the Federal Government’s Final Rule,
Here’s Where The Money Is Supposed to Spent For,
” too many Americans remain unemployed, out of the labor force, or unable to pay their bills, with this pain particularly acute among lower-income Americans and communities of color. Again, moving forward, state, local, and Tribal governments will remain on the frontlines of the economic response and rebuilding a stronger economy in the aftermath of the pandemic.”
PUBLIC HEALTH AND NEGATIVE IMPACTS: $585,000
The City of Valparaiso plans to respond to the negative economic impacts of the public health emergency, including assistance to households, small businesses, and nonprofits, or aid to impacted industries such as tourism, travel, and hospitality
1. Respite House, Men’s Halfway House: $150,000
2. Boys & Girls Club of Greater Northwest Indiana $150,000
3. Hilltop Neighborhood Child Care Center $100,000
4. Caring Place Women’s Shelter $50,000
5. Opportunity Enterprises $50,000
6. MAAC Foundation, Inc. $50,000
(for sewer and water infrastructure at their location)
7. Dressed for School $25,000
PREMIUMPAY FOR ELIGIBLE WORKERS: $600,000
Estimated cost: $600,000
“FINAL RULE” JUSTIFICATION :
GOVERNMENT SERVICES REDUCTION IN REVENUEโ $6.458.012
1. Acquisition of land located at East of 49 Bypass $2,003,430.58
for park related activities – SPORTS COMPLEX
2. Acquisition of land located at 500 North $2,713,848.34
for park related services – SPORTS COMPLEX
NOTE: TOTAL FOR SPORTS COMPLEX: $4,723,287.92
3. Demolition of existing structure – Pines Village Retirement Community- at 3301 N. Calumet Ave $TBD
4. Construction and replacement of sidewalks, walking paths and older utility infrastructure in older neighborhoods $500,000
5. Valparaiso Police Department $25,000
6. Valparaiso Fire Department $25,000
(Based upon the Federal Treasury’s “FINAL RULE” that provides the recipients (Valparaiso) may use ARPA Funds to provide Government services to the extent of the reduction in revenue experienced during the pandemic. Recipients may elect under the FINAL RULE to be treated as having up to $10,000,000 in revenue loss.
Valparaiso plans to use the funds associated with Revenue Loss to Provide a planned sports complex on the East side of 49 Bypass.
FINAL EXPENSE
AUDIT COSTS AND CONSULTANTS: $20.000
In case you are wondering what is money is supposed to be for, we looked it up on the government’s websites, both State and Federal.
Here’s a quote from the Interim Final Draft: “The Treasury FAQ also places emphasis on considering the economic impacts to underprivileged communities which were disproportionally adversely affected by the pandemic. Efforts should focus on these populations when feasible.”
Please Check for Yourself where this money should be spent from the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’s OWN WEBSITE!
Here’s the City of Valparaiso’s Facebook Page, Called ” Valparaiso NOW “
The City of Valparaiso’s Website
City Council Members For Each District
link to the City of Valparaiso’s ARPA Resolution
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Susie Young Baxter, CEO, has published PanoramaNOW Magazine for 31 years. Her hobbies are Camping, Boating, Hiking, Nature, Gardening and Outdoor Activities. She is an Artist, Graphic Designer, an Avid Seamstress, Dabbles in Homemade Crafts and Landscaping. Since her Father was a Health Teacher, she also likes homeopathic Health Solutions. Since blogging started over 10 years ago, PanoramaNow has been added to Newsbreak – a national news affiliate.
