Adams County puts first $3.3 million in COVID spending on the table

QUINCY – The Adams County Board got its first look Tuesday night at where the spending could start out of the approximately $13 million it is getting from the federal government’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

The County will receive the money over the next two fiscal years. Finance Committee Chairman Bret Austin recommended hiring a consultant, Bellwether out of Normal, IL, at a cost of $20,000 to ensure the County follows all of the guidelines and stipulations tied to receiving the ARPA funds. The Board approved a letter of agreement with Bellwether.

Austin outlined four potential projects totaling $3.3 million where the County could start spending the funds. These are all estimates:

1. Network Infrastructure Upgrade – Including increasing data storage and modernization at a cost of $1.3 million
2. HVAC replacement at the Adams County Health Department at a cost of $800,000. Air handling systems are something that the money is specifically targeted for.
3. Courthouse elevators at cost of $1 million
4. Courthouse technology including video cameras and the ability to have virtual courtrooms if needed. Total cost: $250,000.

Austin said Bellwether will review these projects to see if they are compliant. The Board voted to send the projects to the consultant, but the Board will still have a final vote to approve starting each project.

The Board also signed off on the redrawing of its district boundaries, as is done every decade following the Census. With the late start to the Census due to the pandemic, estimates are being used as there is still a July 1 deadline to have the County maps finished.

The County Board will continue to have seven districts with three representatives each. All 21 members will be on the ballot in 2022. They will be paid $3,796 annually with the chairman receiving $5,850.

The only change will put all of Riverside Township into District 5. The Township is currently divided between District’s 2 and 5, but in order to balance the population out, all of the Riverside will move to the District which makes up most of Northern Adams County.

Adams County State’s Attorney Gary Farha and Assistant State’s Attorney Laura Keck introduced the County’s new Assistance Facility Dog, Hoagie, to the Board. Hoagie is 22 months old and works with crime victims, especially children.

The Board held a moment of silence for County Board member Seldon Totsch of Liberty, who died last month at age 88. The Adams County Republican Central Committee will put a name forth soon to fill the remainder of Totsch’s term through the 2022 general election. He represented District 6.