City Of Huntsville: Huntsville City Council Hears Proposal On Pandemic Relief Funds

Press release from the City of Huntsville:

October 29, 2021

The Huntsville City Council must soon decide how to spend American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding provided to local governments to offset financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, ARPA provides $350 billion to eligible state, local, territorial and Tribal governments. The City of Huntsville will receive $34.4 million in Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (CSLFRF) through the ARPA program.

Huntsville Finance Director Penny Smith gave a presentation at the Council’s Oct. 28 meeting that outlined possible uses for the funding. She explained the CSLFRF funds were designed to help local governments counteract the negative effects the pandemic had on the economy.

Smith said the program looked at basic infrastructure, maintenance and/or capital costs delayed by the pandemic and the effect those setbacks had on local governments. It also examined the negative effects on tourism and infrastructure, particularly delayed or canceled investments in water, sewer, wastewater and broadband infrastructure.

Council will have to decide how to allocate the funds before they can be spent, and Smith said a resolution would come before Council at the next regularly scheduled meeting Nov. 4.

In a presentation to Council, Smith outlined areas where the funds would best be utilized. She said the suggested expenditures were the result of examining more than 300 pages of information about the program, as well as meetings with outside counsel.

“These projects will benefit the whole community and citizens far into the future and will enable us to fulfill many promises and projects that have been shelved or delayed due to the pandemic,” she said.

Fire trucks

About $17 million would be spent on 21 new fire trucks, including three ladder trucks, 17 pumper trucks and one hazardous material (HAZMAT) truck. The average age of the City’s fire trucks is 20 years old, and the oldest truck is 31 years old. Smith said many of the trucks are so old and obsolete, parts are no longer available.

Parks improvements

If approved by Council, $11.5 million would be spent to improve certain parks and recreation facilities, including the Armory, which would transition into a community center for the senior population. It would also fund the new multiuse park at Johnson Legacy Center and renovations at James Crawford Park.

Culture and tourism

Because the City’s tourism was impacted by the pandemic, about $2.5 million would help get certain entities back on solid financial footing. Smith said the funds would provide funds for delayed maintenance projects, new staff and more.

“This is not a cure, but it’s intended to assist in the rebuilding of the treasures in our community,” she said.

Infrastructure

The proposal sets aside $2 million for stormwater improvements. Smith said multiple rain events have spotlighted commercial and public areas in the City that would benefit from added or updated stormwater infrastructure.

Recruitment

Finally, $1 million would be set aside for a workforce recruitment partnership between the City and Huntsville/Madison County Chamber.

“Good jobs are waiting to be filled by the right people,” Smith said. “The pandemic has stunted the growth to our workforce and created barriers in filling these positions. In partnership with the Chamber of Commerce, the City will invest in recruiting workers from outside and inside our area to work, live and play in Huntsville.”

This press release was produced by the City of Huntsville. The views expressed here are the author’s own.