City is limited on what it can spend money on
The Everly City Council on Monday debated what to do with $40,981 in free money, but answers were few and far between.
The chunk of change came courtesy of the federal government as part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which was passed by Congress earlier this year to provide $1.9 trillion in economic stimulus to help offset pandemic-related losses. Everly will receive another payment worth a similar amount in the near future to bring its total to $81,963.
The money must be spent by 2024; however, it comes with strict stipulations.
“They’re really tight on how you spend it,” said Mayor Brad Behrens. “It will almost be hard to use it.”
The council discussed potential uses for the money – from streets and sewer improvements to cement work and the water tower’s new paint job – but the issue was ultimately tabled. Behrens and City Clerk Kristi Fliss weren’t confident any of the suggestions would meet threshold for ARPA money.
“I looked it over and it had me stumped on how to use it,” said Behrens.
In other business, Fliss updated the council on the city’s transition to gWorks. The software program will handle electronic payments from residents for utility bills and other related finances.
Fliss said training and data transfer are underway, with an informational campaign coming soon.
“We’re really encouraging people to sign up,” she said.
The program will be offered free to residents who set up automatic withdrawals for their utility bills. Credit cards will still cost a fee. Fliss hoped City Hall would be fully transitioned to gWorks by the end of October.
Additionally, the council set the citywide trick-or-treating date for Sunday, Oct. 31 from 5-7 p.m. Fliss also said she is in the process of finalizing volunteers to represent the city in the Shrink Smart program. The goal of the Iowa State University-led project is to develop tools to help all small and shrinking communities actively plan for shrinkage before population loss affects their quality of life.