County attorney researching ARPA

BONNERS FERRY — Boundary County commissioners have requested Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Tevis Hull analyze any liability the county may face for accepting American Rescue Plan Act funds.

At the July 11 regular meeting, the commissioners asked what are the requirements for accepting ARPA funds in regard to past, current and future executive orders. A major concern the commissioners wanted addressed by Hull was clarity on if there is a future mask mandate or other executive orders from the president of the United States.

Chair Dan Dinning said that in the ARPA documents it says by accepting this money there is an agreement to follow all executive orders. He said some people are saying that means any future executive orders.

“My understanding is that is not the case,” he added.

Rather, he said it was his understanding the executive orders mentioned were the ones in place at the time of acceptance.

Hull said Dinning was correct that in accepting the ARPA the county would follow executive orders from the time, not any new or future orders.

The commissioners requested Hull provide an analysis of ARPA to find the liability required by the county.

Dinning said this will help commissioners decide if they should go forward on whether to accept the money and spend it.

Hull is scheduled to present his findings at the Monday, July 18, county commissioners meeting. There will be a discussion with a possible motion of acceptance.