Commissioners designate ARPA funds

BONNERS FERRY — Boundary County commissioners have opted to hold off on using American Rescue Plan Act funds at this time, but have designated the funds as “revenue replacement.”

At their April 18 meeting, commissioners noted they have not used the funds, but are required to designate the funds by the end of the month as part of the process. Since the county has received less than $10 million in funding, they can designate the funds as “revenue replacement.”

Chair Dan Dinning said that the commissioners have made no decision on if they will use the funds, but said the paperwork has to be sent in to the state designating the funds by the end of April.

In response to questions on if the county can return the funds, Dinning said that the commissioners haven’t been told that they can’t.

“All we're doing today is making a motion to sign the document showing we still have spent zero money, that we have it and that if we choose to use [the funds] it will be classified as lost revenue replacement,” he said.

Boundary County Clerk Glenda Poston said that every county in Idaho, with the exception of Adams County, has accepted the APRA funds.

Dinning said that the funds are in a trust account for “if and when” commissioners use the money.