The COVID-19 pandemic has come and gone but many communities including Joplin are still working on what to do with American Rescue Plan Act funds.
KRPS’s Fred Fletcher-Fierro has more.
Missouri’s cut of the overall 1.9 trillion in ARPA money was 2.8 billion dollars, of which Joplin received 13.8 million dollars.
The deadline for ARPA funding to be obligated to projects is December 31 of next year, with 100% of funds spent by the end of 2026.
The Joplin City Council held a work session Monday night to discuss the reprioritization of 26 projects that can be completed with partial or full ARPA allocations.
Everything from the construction of the Tin Cup Trail Bridge to the widening of 20th street and SMART traffic signals in downtown Joplin which alone would cost 5.7 million dollars.
Councilmember Chuck Coople voiced concern about the possible disparities in communication council members received as opposed to city staff about possible projects.
“It really kind of surprised me seeing the slide that showed the downtown SMART technology traffic signals with an estimated match requirement of only $300,000. Had I known that potential was there when I was voting on things I think it would have probably scored much higher.”
The importance of the 26 projects was voted on by city staff and council members with the Tin Cup Trail Bridge coming in first with a score of 354, 12 was points ahead of Neighborhood Sidewalk Repair and Replacement.
No decisions or vote were made, discussions will continue at the subsequent council meeting next Monday.
For 89 9 KRPS News, I’m Fred Fletcher-Fierro
