Spirit Lake holds course on ARPA money

SPIRIT LAKE — The Spirit Lake City Council recently held its course in rejecting American Rescue Plans Act money.

The council held a public hearing July 12 at City Hall to hear from people on the issue. About 25 people attended the meeting.

Of the nine who spoke, six were nonresidents and opposed taking the money. Two Spirit Lake residents were in favor and one resident just asked a question.

City clerk Michelle Wharton said she received four emails providing comment on the ARPA money.

Three were from residents who were in favor of taking the money, while a nonresident opposed it.

The council did not take any action after hearing public comments, which let its previous decision stand.

The City Council unanimously turned down $544,838 in ARPA money at a special meeting April 19.

Council members expressed concerns about terms and conditions said to be connected with the funds.

The cities of Coeur d'Alene, Hayden and Post Falls, and Kootenai County voted to accept the ARPA money.