Montgomery County can begin spending part of its share of federal coronavirus relief money after the County Council on Tuesday approved an additional appropriation for the funding.
The county received more than $3.7 million in the first installment of funds through the American Rescue Plan Act. The other half of the funding is expected next year for a total amount of about $7.4 million.
The windfall will be spent on extending water lines along Nucor Road to the future Tempur Sealy plant, recovering lost government revenues and awarding grants to local small businesses, industries and nonprofits.
A public hearing was held on the county’s proposed 2022 budget. The estimated grand total of funding is more than $34.3 million, with nearly $14.5 million in the general fund. The council will adopt the budget at its next meeting on Oct. 13.
In other business, sheriff Ryan Needham received approval to purchase new vehicles. Needham presented a $23,436 quote for two additional all-terrain vehicles that will be used primarily for events at Ironman Raceway. He also presented a $43,000 bid for a police utility interceptor vehicle to replace the aging jail escort vehicle.
County administrator Tom Klein reported that the C.R. 500N bridge near Darlington is back open following construction. Crews were scheduled today to begin pouring the new deck for the C.R. 100W bridge, he said.
Meanwhile, work continues on the county annex building, which is expected to be complete later this year. Officials are working on roofing costs and furniture needs, Klein said.
The county has discussed hiring an architect to explore the potential remodeling of the courthouse once offices move into the annex.
