Village trustees skeptical about relief funds

The $230,000 in Covid-19 economic relief funds Fredonia expects to receive from the federal government sparked a lively discussion during last week’s Village Board meeting.

Trustee Joshua Haas, who also serves as Ozaukee County’s District 2 County Board supervisor, said the county is expected to receive $17 million in American Rescue Plan  Act of 2021 funds.

Haas said he is “leery” of the ARPA funding from the federal government and other Covid-related government relief programs such as the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), saying the requirements of “these programs change constantly.”

“Where is this coming from and who is paying for this?” he asked. “Someone’s got to pay for this. I don’t like this. This is really playing with fire here, in my opinion. I’m just trying to be mindful, that’s all I’m saying.”

Village President Don Dohrwardt expressed his own reservations. “It’s a bad way to do business, I agree with that,” he said, noting the ARPA funding is a done deal. “The horse is already out of the barn on this. They’re going to write us a check.”

Possible uses identified by trustees for the village’s ARPA funds include water, sewer and broadband internet infrastructure projects, additional security camera system installations for village-owned properties and improvements to the village’s industrial park.  

The topic will be taken up at future meetings of the Finance Committee and the Public Works and Utilities Committee.

ARPA set aside $130 billion for distribution to counties, cities, villages and towns nationwide to provide economic relief from the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Funds must be used by Dec. 31, 2024, and ARPA spells out how local governments may use the funds.