Projects scrutinized as Arkansas’ ARPA funds dwindle

Water initiatives acquired a nod, whereas hospitals acquired a timeout from the Arkansas Legislative Council’s (ALC) expenditure assessment committee this week.

State of play: Approval by the ALC is the subsequent step in funding initiatives that obtained preliminary suggestions from the governor-appointed American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Steering Committee.

Flashback: In all, the committee advisable spending over $423 million from the state’s complete of $1.57 billion in federal funds final month.

• The group advised a mixed $280 million for water initiatives requested by the state Division of Agriculture in mid-August.
• Then in late August, the steering committee advisable a mixed $114 million for initiatives — together with cash to maintain a number of Arkansas hospitals from closing their doorways.

What occurred: The ALC committee on Tuesday accredited $5 million to the Division of Human Companies to help coaching for behavioral well being, $25,000 to the Division of Finance and Administration for COVID-19 testing reimbursement, $280 million to the Division of Agriculture for water initiatives and $4.6 million to Black River Technical School to assemble short-term coaching and housing amenities.

Sure, however: The ALC didn’t take motion on a number of requests collectively in search of about $105 million of ARPA cash, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported.

• The denials included the request for $60 million to assist maintain hospitals from closing, $10 million to profit rural hospitals via the Arkansas Rural Well being Partnership and several other requests by schools and from Girls and Youngsters First for a mixed $35 million for well being care-related constructing initiatives.

Particulars: The ALC assessment committee was involved the requests have been “haphazard,” or initiatives lacked clearly outlined targets, the Arkansas Advocate reported.

• Senate President Professional Tempore Jimmy Hickey (R-Texarkana) informed the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette that he desires every hospital in search of ARPA cash to clarify its want and the way the cash will assist the hospital.

The opposite facet: The Division of Human Companies’ unique request to the steering committee said that to be eligible for emergency funds, DHS would require a hospital to indicate it is in “quick jeopardy” of closing and must present an in depth plan for monetary sustainability inside 90 days.

Context: The ARPA Steering Committee was appointed in Might 2021 to make suggestions on the distribution of the federal federal funds. Cash have to be spent on one in all eight standards, together with water and sewer infrastructure, and addressing well being care wants exacerbated by the pandemic.

Of be aware: Cindy Gillespie, secretary of the Division of Human Companies, introduced her resignation on Thursday. She’s leaving to spend extra time with household.