Public hearing held in Jackson County regarding use of ARPA funds
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A public hearing regarding the use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds was held during the Jackson County Legislative meeting on Monday afternoon.
At a meeting last week, the discussion about how to send ARPA funds got heated between two groups of legislators who had differing ideas about how to use it.
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With a year-end deadline approaching, the public hearing was called to move the process forward.
ARPA money can only be spent on things like fixing economic issues caused by the pandemic and improving infrastructure.
Legislator Manny Abarca said that in 2023, they started the grant application process, through which organizations applied and were approved for funding.
"Individuals who will be speaking will be immediately granted money if these ordinances pass. So in 2023, we started a grant process where individuals applied for these organizational funding mechanisms and went through a pretty rigorous process throughout the year, had third-party grading and had a transparent public hearing process then," Abarca said."
"Then, it kind of sat on hold as the leadership turned over at the beginning of this year. So they've been waiting about a year to hear whether or not they were going to be funded. "
During the public hearing, leaders from non-profits and community organizations, such as the Mattie Rhodes Center and Englewood Arts, explained how they would use the money.
"These organizations were made aware that they were going to be awarded much-needed funds to continue our missions. Those funds have still not come over a year later," said public hearing speaker and Executive Director of Englewood Arts Michael Baxley.Our organization and many others in this room that provide critical services to families and citizens of Jackson County are still feeling the impacts of COVID to this day. We urge you to find a compromise to get these final funds obligated before the end of 2024."
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Speakers explained how the COVID-19 pandemic directly impacted their organizations and the need for ARPA money.
"Throughout the pandemic, the needs of survivors have increased significantly. That increase has not stopped. In fact, last year alone, we had a 38% increase in the number of hospital advocacy responses where we went out to the hospitals to meet survivors after sexual assault to provide them support and advocacy," said public hearing speaker and President of the Metropolitan Organization to County Sexual Assault. "So it's clear that the need continues."
