Washington County eyes COVID relief funds, welcomes ideas

The Washington County Board of Supervisors announced preliminary plans to establish a committee to deliberate the use of funds from the American Rescue Plan Act, a piece of federal legislation aimed at helping local governments recover from the pandemic.

“I think we need to get that committee started and get a move on,” board Chair Richard Young said at the group’s meeting Tuesday. “We’re going to be getting the final rules, hopefully, around Sept. 15.”

Young said Washington County expected to receive just under $4.3 million from the federal aid, but the board has been hesitant to discuss plans for the cash until rules about how they’re allowed to spend it are finalized.

“Advice from people has been, ‘Be careful on spending that money before the final rule comes out,’” Young said.

Young recommended a list of 10 people for the committee, all of them county officials from an array of departments.

“I’ve heard some people say the committee should be the Board of Supervisors,” he said. “I don’t necessarily agree with that. Yeah, we have the final say on that expenditure, but I think other people need to be on that committee prior to coming to us.”

Two supervisors, Marcus Fedler and Stan Stoops, volunteered to serve on the committee. Young said he would reach out to other potential participants after the meeting.

As of Wednesday afternoon, Young said County Sheriff Jared Schneider, Auditor Dan Widmer, Conservation Board Director Zach Rozmus, Treasurer Jeff Garrett, Recorder Jo Greiner, interim Public Health Director Chris Estle and Engineer Jacob Thorius had all agreed to serve on the committee.

Young’s list left room for a representative from Emergency Management, but he said the department had not yet responded.

Young said the committee would consult with several subcommittees of community members, which would serve as touch points with county residents.

Board member Jack Seward Jr. agreed public consultation was a necessary step and called on community members to reach out to the board.

“I think in addition to that, we should welcome anybody in the viewing public … to contact us,” Seward said. “We would be more than happy to hear. Put an idea down in writing and submit it to us, and we’ll definitely look at it … we’ve got to start some place.”