HERMANN — They don’t know just what they’ll use the money for, or who will get a slice of the $2.8 million allocated to the county, but members of the Gasconade County Commission do think the American Rescue Plan Act funding should have limits on its dispersal.

The matter arose at last week’s Commission session with local government administrators being gently nudged by Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) officials to draft a plan for use of the coronavirus-recovery funds. Gasconade County has received $1.4 million as its first installment with the other half of the $2.8 million scheduled to be received next year.

There are several broad areas of use for the money that have been outlined by MRPC, which is being contracted by the county to administer the ARPA dollars. Gasconade County also contracted with the regional planning agency to administer the CARES Act money last year.

At Thursday morning’s session, the commissioners noted that inquiries about the funding are becoming more frequent. 

“I’ve got several people asking about it,” said Presiding Commissioner Larry Miskel, R-Hermann. Applications for a share of the ARPA money are being processed by MRPC, not the county, officials said.

Even though they don’t know exactly how the money will be used, Miskel urged those businesses and organizations interested in applying for funds to move forward. “I would encourage…if there are organizations that would want to apply for the ARPA funds to do so,” he said.

County officials point out that the ARPA funding is being treated differently than the $1.7-million of CARES Act money that came to Gasconade County. The CARES Act dollars were dispersed as a reimbursement for expenses associated with the coronavirus. ARPA money will be allocated for projects that have yet to take place. That’s the reason a somewhat-detailed plan for use of the money is being sought by MRPC.

Southern District Associate Commissioner Jerry Lairmore, R-Owensville, said the distribution of ARPA funds should be subject to limits, noting that some of infrastructure projects might carry price tags that would quickly deplete the available funds without some constraints. “I think we’re going to have to limit it,” Lairmore said, adding that the only question is how large the limit should be.

There were limits in place for the CARES Act money. Large businesses were limited to $50,000 per approved application; smaller businesses could apply for $35,000; and non-profit organizations could apply for $25,000.

Miskel asked Lairmore and Northern District Associate Commissioner Jim Holland, R-Hermann, to consider possible limits for dispersal of the funds and make offer their recommendations at tomorrow’s Commission session scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. at Owensville City Hall.

But, he added, for the time being, businesses and organizations should not wait to contact MRPC to submit an application — even if some projects are deemed ineligible for the funds.

“There’s a fraternal organization that needs help with a roof,” Miskel said, citing a possible project. “I don’t know if we can do that.”

In other matters at last week’s session, Treasurer Mike Feagan reported that his office allocated $500 in fee revenue equally between Turning Point and Rape & Abuse Crisis for services for victims of domestic violence. A fee is attached to court filings to help fund the services.

Also, repair work was scheduled to take place Thursday on one of the new water fountains purchased with CARES Act money — a purchase that has been questioned by the auditors reviewing the use of the CARES Act dollars. “It leaks like a sieve,” said County Clerk Lesa Lietzow of the first-floor water fountain, which is located next to the Commission Chamber.

Regarding the county’s use of the final batch of CARES Act money, administrators still are awaiting word on the new doors ordered for the south-side main entrance of the courthouse. That’s a $40,000-plus project that includes an automatic opener aimed at preventing the spread of the coronavirus.