Town hall planned for rescue funds

COEUR d’ALENE — Kootenai County Commissioner Leslie Duncan will hold an informal town hall meeting next month to discuss the use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.

The town hall is from 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, March 8, in the Kootenai County Administration (DMV) Building, 451 Government Way.

“Residents have voiced concerns regarding the use of ARPA funds,” Duncan said in a news release. “This is an opportunity to share accurate information to residents and let them voice their concerns or support.”

Kootenai County has been allocated a $32 million share of federal funds through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

The funds are to be used for the direct or indirect response to the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Eligible uses of the funds include:

• Revenue replacement for the provision of government services to the extent of the reduction in revenue due to the COVID-19 public health emergency

• COVID-19 expenditures or negative economic impacts of COVID-19, including assistance to small businesses, households and hard-hit industries and economic recovery

• Premium pay for essential workers

• Investments in water, sewer and broadband infrastructure

Restrictions on the uses of these funds include:

• Funds allocated to states cannot be used directly or indirectly to offset tax reductions or delay a tax or tax increase

• Funds cannot be deposited into any pension fund

The Kootenai County ARPA Task Force is responsible for the review of all project and program requests presented to the county.

Because it is a town hall discussion, the full board of commissioners will not be present and no decisions will be made.

Groups will receive up to five minutes to speak. Individuals will receive up to three minutes.

If the room capacity of 135 people is reached, a line will be formed for more people to join the meeting as space permits.