During the Saline County Commission meeting on Thursday, September 2, commissioners said they have not spent any of the $4.4 million allocated to the county- of which it has received $2.2 million to date- through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

Northern District Commissioner Stephanie Gooden explained the commission has been advised to wait.

Gooden said the commission would like to use a good portion of the money to pay for the sewer system that is going to be installed for economic development purposes at Marshall Junction. It is estimated to cost between $1.7 and $2 million. Presiding Commissioner Kile Guthrey Jr. elaborated more.

If the sewer is able to be paid for out of ARPA funding, then the county would not have to bond it; so, the five entities- Marshall, Slater, Sweet Springs, Arrow Rock and the smaller communities in the county- will get more funds annually from the half-cent sales tax that was passed by voters for economic development in April 2018.

Several requests for some of the ARPA Funds were made during the meeting- including more than $230,000 by the Slater Ambulance District; $267,000 for a pocket park by the Marshall Cultural Council; $295,000 by Public Water Supply District No. 1; and $20,000 by Marshall-Saline Development Corporation for Launch U.; as well as a request from the Saline County Ambulance District to increase the pay of its staff members.

The commission took the requests under advisement. Southern District Commissioner Monte Fenner said there will be a board of six to determine which requests meet the requirements when they get the final rule on how they can disburse the money.