Featured photo: Mayor Sheldon Neeley speaks at one of his previously held listening sessions for the community to talk about how they wanted to see American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars
Written by Tanya Terry
Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley recently presented his plan for using the funds allotted to the city through the American Rescue Plan. It took about 20 minutes for him to initially present what was referred to by Councilman Dennis Pfeiffer as a “great outline.”
The City of Flint was allocated $94.7 million from the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (“SLFRF”), which must be obligated by December 31, 2024, and expended by December 31, 2026
As established by U.S. Treasury Department, the funds could be used for: responding to COVID-19 public health emergency or its negative economic impacts; for premium pay for essential workers; or for water, sewer and broadband infrastructure and government services to the extent the pandemic reduced revenue.
Through the plan Neeley presented, $33.6 million would be used for housing and blight elimination, $11.57 million for economic development, $10.2 million would be used for safety and crime prevention, $7.475 million for infrastructure, $6.6 million for public health, $13.5 million for maintaining city services, $5 million for COVID response and contingency, $4 million for administration and evaluation and for $2.7 million for premium pay for essential workers.
“Where are the details?” asked Pfeiffer.
“I want details,” he continued.
He was not the only council member to express concern with the plan.
Council Vice-President Allie Herkenroder said many community and grass-roots organizations could use ARPA dollars to help stimulate economic development and business, such as the North Flint Food Market, the Sylvester Broome Empowerment Center and the Youth Build.
“I’m encouraged by this dialogue,” Neeley said. I’m excited to have these conversations. I’m glad to see that you’re engaged.”
He said more details would be presented at future meetings between the council and city administration.
Councilman Eric Mays urged the community to “pay attention” during these upcoming meetings.
Between February and March, Neeley held four listening sessions during which community members were asked how they felt the ARPA funds should be spent. The Flint City Council held separate sessions for this purpose.
