City of Flint to Host Community Forum to Discuss COVID-19 Relief on March 8
Flint, MI– Mayor Sheldon Neeley is hosting the fourth public comment session tonight, March 8, to discuss American Rescue Plan Act funds.
From 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Insight Institute of Neurosurgery & Neuroscience, located at 4800 S. Saginaw St., residents can voice their opinions on how they think the funds should be spent.
Last year, the city learned it would receive $94.7 million in ARPA funding as part of a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus package meant to help the country recover from the pandemic. .
Although the money is tied to COVID-19, the city can use it to address other public health issues, officials explained in a previous meeting, as long as it matches eligible uses. described in a Document of 437 pages.
Council and the mayor both held public meetings to hear residents’ spending priorities, but also approved some spending resolutions before those meetings were over.
So far, the council has allocated approximately $6 million of the funds. First, the board voted to spend about $1 million on a one-year contract with a compliance firm to ensure the rest of the funds are spent properly. Then the council voted to allocate about $3 million to give a bonus to certain essential workers.
Last week, council voted to spend about $1.8 million to replace an old water main on Miller Road. The board is still considering allocating $600,000 to the North Flint Food Market project.
The mayor’s public consultation meeting is the last announced meeting for the administration. The council still has a meeting to schedule, but the date and time have not yet been announced.
Anyone unable to attend open sessions can submit questions or comments in one of four ways:
• Email [email protected]
• Mail your comments to City of Flint Budget Input, 1101 S. Saginaw St. Room 203, Flint, Michigan 48502
• Write comments and drop them off at Flint City Hall in the red drop box in front of the City Hall entrance.
• Dial (810) 237-2000. All callers will be asked to leave a message with their comments, which will be transcribed and included in the reports along with the other comments submitted.