Porter County ARPA Timeline

The following is a timeline of actions associated with Porter County's Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds awarded through the American Rescue Plan Act. The timeline begins with the most recent events. This list will be updated as needed. To obtain the minutes and/or videos of any meetings referenced below, see  Agendas & Minutes on the main page of the county's website.

2022

Additional county projects finalized: On Dec. 6, the Porter County Commissioners gave second and final reading approval to an ordinance and plan for seven additional county projects that were forwarded by the Council on Oct. 18. First-reading approval was on Nov. 1.

New ARPA Fund: The Porter County Auditor's office applied for funding through another ARPA program, the Local Assistance and Tribal Conservancy Fund; the first distribution of $50,000 was received on Nov. 3. The Porter County Council appropriated the funds on Dec. 6 for operational support for the Expo Center.

Auditor's Office hosts ARPA informational workshop: The Porter County Auditor's Office held an informational workshop for nonprofits and other governmental units awarded SLFRF funds on Nov. 3.

Council approves additional ARPA appropriations: At its regular meeting and budget adoption meeting, both on Oct. 18, the Porter County Council approved appropriations totaling $7,898,763 for 18 non-profit organizations included in the Steering Committee's categories of "Behavioral Health and Social Services" and "Non-Profits and Employers." In addition, the Council approved appropriations for additional ARPA projects totaling $10,776,55 for consideration by the County Commissioners. These projects are as follows: Memorial Opera House renovation, County Health Insurance Fund, Roads, Sheriff SWAT vehicle, Veteran Service Office outreach, county employee 2023 supplements, and county park capital needs. In addition, the Council adopted a 2023 ARPA budget with all previously approved and pending projects.

Council approves ARPA appropriations: On September 20, the Porter County Council approved appropriations totaling $10,100,759 for projects forwarded by the Porter County Commissioners under two categories: "Infrastructure and Facilities" totaling $7,174,513 and "County COVID-19 Response" totaling $2,926,246.

Commissioners approve Steering Committee plan: On August 2, the Porter County Commissioners gave second reading and final approval to the projects recommended by the ARPA Steering Committee. First reading approval occurred on July 12. To view the ordinance, click here: August 2, 2022 Adopted Plan

Steering Committee approves plan: On June 23, the Steering Committee approved its recommendations to present to the County Commissioners. To view the list of recommended projects, click here: Steering Committee Recommendations

Second tranche received: Porter County received its second tranche of State and Local Fiscal Recovery funds on June 9 totaling $16,548,033.

Steering Committee and Subcommittees meet: The Steering Committee kicked off a lengthy series of public meetings on March 10, with additional meetings as follows: Behavioral Health and Social Services Subcommittee, March 31, April 7, April 28, May 5, May 12, May 17; Nonprofits and Employers Subcommittee, April 4, April 11, April 18, April 25, May 2, May 10, May 16, and May 23; County COVID Response Subcommittee, April 13, May 4, May 18; Infrastructure & Facilities Subcommittee, April 13, April 22, April 26, May 2; Steering Committee, April 19, June 16, and June 23.

Applications closed: The county's online application process for funding requests closed on March 31. A total of 63 applications were received totaling more than $53 million in requests.

Citizen appointees named: The Porter County Commissioners appointed their citizen members to the subcommittees on March 15, and the County Council appointed their citizen members on Feb. 22.

Premium Pay disbursed: The first expenditure of the county's ARPA plan -- premium pay for certain designated county employees in the public safety and public health sectors -- was disbursed with the county's March 4 payroll.

Plan Updated, Committees Formed, Appropriations Approved: On Feb. 22, the Porter County Commissioners revoked Ordinance 21-21 and approved an updated expenditure plan for approximately $4 million of the county's SLFRF funds. The Porter County Council approved a total of $3,994,816 in appropriations for the following projects: Premium Pay, Marquette Trail, behavioral health study, and township assistance. The Commissioners and Council also made their initial appointments to new committees that will recommend additional SLFRF expenditures.

County Commissioner Amendment Discussion: On Feb. 16, the Porter County Commissioners called a special meeting to discuss amendments to the initial expenditure plan contained in Ordinance 21-21. 

ARPA Presentations: On Feb. 8, The Porter County Auditor's Office hosted two public presentations on the expenditure categories in the SLFRF and the Auditor's Office role in monitoring the county government's expenditures. Two additional presentations were given March 1 and 3.

Final Rule Released: On Jan. 6, U.S. Treasury released the Final Rule for use of the Fiscal Recovery Funds.

2021

Comment Portal Opened: On Dec. 14, the Porter County Commissioners opened an online public comment portal to receive citizen input about the county's ARPA expenditures. 

County Council Discussion: On Dec. 7, the Porter County Council heard a presentation about the Commissioners' ARPA Plan, with an emphasis on the Memorial Opera House project.  

Spending Plan Approval: On Oct. 26, the Porter County Commissioners held a public hearing and approved Ordinance 21-21 entitled "An Ordinance Ratifying Porter County's Proposed Investment of American Rescue Act Funds' Plans for the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021." (later revoked). Also that day, the Porter County Council  gave unanimous support in principle to the plan.

Interim Report Submitted: On August 31, the Porter County Auditor's Office submitted to U.S. Treasury the required Interim Report.

Revenues Received: On May 25, the Porter County Auditor's Office received the first half of the county's SLFRF revenues totaling $16,548,033.

Fund Established: On May 18, the Porter County Commissioners held a public hearing and approved an ordinance establishing a fund for the receipt of ARPA revenues. To view the ordinance, click here: Ordinance Establishing ARPA Fund. The Porter County Auditor's Office established this fund as 21.027 ARP COVID Fiscal Recovery Fund (Fund 8909).