Cache County Council Meeting 04-09-2024

- The council unanimously approved the meeting agenda and both sets of minutes, including the March 26 council minutes and the March 18 board of canvassers minutes. One council member abstained from the canvassers minutes because they were not present at that meeting. - County staff reported that the county executive was excused due to travel and that applications are open for fire district board of trustees positions. Residents were directed to the county website’s public notices section to apply. - Grants Manager Alma Burgess gave a detailed update on ARPA funds, emphasizing that all county ARPA money must be obligated by 12/31/2024 under contract. She also explained that some projects may need to cover future overages or change orders using other available funds. - The council unanimously approved reallocating about $12,700 in ARPA funds already awarded to Terrell Warner so victim advocates can be compensated for on-call work during COVID. Staff confirmed this would not reduce funding for critical services. - Burgess reported that the county’s open ARPA application process for departments is now closed, with 10 applications submitted. The Appropriations Committee will review them on April 26 and then bring funding recommendations back to the council. - Members discussed how to handle ARPA-funded projects that come in under or over budget, including a Richmond water line project and the challenge of change orders after the federal deadline. Burgess pointed to the Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund as a possible source for covering overruns. - The council also discussed a major ARPA allocation for accounting software, noting the $607,500 award must be obligated this year or reassigned. Several members said they want more time to study whether to proceed with the software or redirect the funds. - The council unanimously passed Resolution 2024-08 after suspending the rules, creating the structure and format for a new countywide policy manual. Staff explained the manual will organize countywide policies separate from the personnel policy manual and will be posted online. - Council members briefly discussed conference travel logistics and hotel arrangements, including rooms booked for the upcoming UAC conference. One room had not yet been reserved for a council member, and staff said additional lodging could be arranged if needed. - During council reports, Sandy Goodlander announced a broadband-related meeting at the Bragg offices on Thursday at noon to discuss newly released maps and potential funding opportunities for underserved areas. No other substantive council reports were given.