Rescue plan still causing confusion

Months after the American Rescue Plan Act was finalized, how exactly its associated funding can be spent remains in question for local entities, including counties.

“The guidance has changed five, six, seven times – it’s hard to keep up with it,” said County Clerk Linda Fritz.

Despite the remaining confusion, the Crook County Commissioners have been able to kickstart the process of distributing the funds allocated to the county by formally making the decision that everyone who would like to apply for the money should follow an application process.

During previous rounds of pandemic-related relief funds, said Commissioner Jeanne Whalen, the county had an application process for nonprofits who could apply for, “Money they would normally have gotten contributed to their cause or charity.”

The commission did not feel ready to start handing out funds on the basis that there’s still a possibility they could spend it and then have the state say it shouldn’t have been spent that way, said Whalen. However, she added, “The state has hired a company that’s going to give us advice on how that money can be spent.”

At this time, it appears there will be numerous avenues through which the funding can be distributed, ranging from infrastructure to public health and revenue replacement to addressing negative economic impacts. The county has approximately $450,000 left to distribute at this time, with another $740,000 expected to come available in the near future.

“We have it, we don’t want to give it back, we want to put it to the best use in the county,” said Commissioner Fred Devish.

He referred to a letter submitted by the Aladdin Water District outlining its request and said it would be a good idea for everyone who is interested in the funding to do the same.

“We probably need proposals of things so we can see if anything fits within the profile,” he said.

This would include explanations from government agencies, boards, nonprofits and even private entities as to what projects they propose to implement with the money. The commissioners can then set up a work session to discuss the applications received.

Commissioner Kelly Dennis commented that, in the meantime, the county can work to get answers on how the money can be spent and set up a structure for distributing it.

County Attorney Joe Baron advised the commissioners to prepare a list of items that applicants need to provide within their proposals. This due diligence is necessary to protect the county, he said.

“If we’re giving away money, you’re going to be held accountable if we give it to the wrong person,” he told the commission.

He suggested preparing an application process with all the relevant criteria to ensure the county can pass an audit on its actions.

Baron also clarified that everyone will need to apply, even the county’s own agencies, such as the Crook County Sheriff’s Office.

“They’re all going to have to put their name on the bottom line and be responsible for it,” he said.

Deputy County Clerk Melissa Jones commented that the Clerk’s Office has prepared a list of possibilities, such as cybersecurity measures for the courthouse. She asked who would be responsible for applications for requests that benefit the whole county, to which Baron responded that it should be the person or office that would take responsibility for overseeing the project, and thus spending the money.

“What if we have more requests than we have money for?” asked Whalen.

Baron responded that this is the reason for the application process: to make it fair. Everyone will go through the same process and receive the same attention for their proposal from the commission.

The deadline for spending the money is not until 2024, so the commissioners opted not to try to rush through its planning during the holiday season. Instead, a work session has been scheduled for January 5 at 2 p.m.

Jamie Tarver from DOWL, representing the Carlile Water District, did point out that there is some urgency for entities hoping to utilize the funds to leverage other available funding, such as the $95 million that is likely to be available through the Wyoming Water Commission. Such funding will probably be snapped up fast, she said.

Baron, however, reminded the commission that the legislature does not meet until February 15, so the January work session will be well within the time limits.

Everyone who has already submitted an enquiry about the funding will receive an email from the Clerk’s Office with information about how to apply prior to January’s work session. This information will also be made available on the county website.