Montgomery County commissioners approved a plan to allocate their remaining $2.3 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, with the Tamina Water project receiving priority funding.
The commissioners of Montgomery County have decided how to spend the last $2.3 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARPA) funds. During the court's meeting on Tuesday, Budget Officer Amanda Carter talked about the projects and stressed the need to avoid sending money back to the federal government that wasn't used.
Some of the most important funds that were given are $1.1 million to cover cost overruns on the $21 million Tamina Water project, $1.07 million to improve cybersecurity, $307,355 for body cameras for mental health deputies, and $1.1 million to improve stormwater drains.
The commissioners also agreed to plans for the Emergency Operations Center to be updated and the Office of Emergency Management to get more supplies. The final cost figures will be given at the meeting on December 17.
Since 2021, when Montgomery County got $114 million from ARPA, it has done many projects that help people. The Tamina Water project, which is a $21 million joint venture with Shenandoah, stands out as a long-awaited improvement. It will provide the Tamina town with water, sewer, and fire hydrants.
ARPA funds also improved mental health services in the area, such as by helping Tri-County Mental Health and growing the mental health unit of the Precinct 1 Constable. With these plans, Montgomery County hopes to fix the problems that the COVID-19 outbreak caused with public health and infrastructure.
Home sales in Conroe and Montgomery increased significantly in December, rising 16.3% yearly. However, trends in median prices and market times revealed a mixed real estate market.