Re-prioritizing capital projects
American Rescue Plan money will soon flow into Montana and directly to local governments.
Flathead County will receive $20,163,099, the fourth highest county amount in the state. Columbia Falls will get $1,500,961, Kalispell $6,274,866, and Whitefish $2,118,869. In addition, the state will allocate $910,000,000 from the same federal source.
According to the Montana League of Cities and Towns, a speedy deployment of the funds is mandated. The funds cannot be used for pensions or tax cuts. Eligible uses include addressing Covid related economic impacts and infrastructure projects. Local governments may transfer funds directly to nonprofit organizations or a special purpose unit of local government. All local governments are responsible to the federal Treasury for eligible use of the funds.
July 15 is the deadline for applying for some state infrastructure grants. All the direct funding to local governments must be allocated by Dec 31, 2024 and spent by Dec 31, 2026. Lead time for planning major projects will need to be expedited.
The question is how Flathead County and local city governments plan to solicit citizen input or comment about their prioritization of these funds.
The county’s 2021-2025 Capital Improvement Plan has a total $68,062,304 of planned expenditures of which $30,000,000 is earmarked for a new Detention Center. The impact of $20 million in new money to be used during almost the same time period is significant.
Flathead County’s default message to those proposing investments that often reflect a growing population and tax base is usually “no.” Consider the following:
• Public safety projects such as sidewalks on major roads adjacent to schools (Evergreen)
• Maintaining and improving Adams Street which borders an elementary school and provides a rare east-west link between U.S. 93 and suburban residential growth (Lakeside)
• Upgrading of primary, heavily trafficked county roads
• The lack of county-owned library facilities causing the system to rely on the “kindness of others” that limits services, popular community uses, work space, and most critically, access by the less able. The insecurity of not having permanent, flexible library facilities is not efficient, as any improvements accrue to the property owner, not the county.
• Storm water drainage improvements
• Purchase of ROW easements from the State of Montana for county roads that traverse state forest land
Re-prioritizing capital projects to utilize American Rescue Plan funds in both standard and new imaginative ways requires an engaged citizenry and visionary elected officials.
—Margaret Davis, Lakeside