La Crosse County still weighing ways to spend millions in federal funds

La Crosse County leaders want to spend federal money on sustainability programs. Taxpayers want money spent on housing.

There’s $23 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds being made available to the county for various economic needs.

Administrator Steve O’Malley hopes the La Crosse County Board can distribute the funding without pitting one type of project against another.

“We have not been recruiting or asking for applications,” O’Malley said during a Monday night board meeting. “That’s why one of the things I want to emphasize, if you have organizations that are seeking funding, there is a process already established by the city community foundation, might give us an example of something that you could do.”

Child care, affordable housing and sustainability projects were the Top 3 priorities established by the county board for using the ARPA funds.

O’Malley said the money, providing financial relief from the pandemic, can be distributed over the next three years but must be spent by 2026.

Decisions on ARPA spending are likely to be made by the County Board in December.