The Dodge County Board of Supervisors recently approved the recommendation of a subcommittee for the distribution of more than $6.4 million in American Rescue Plan Act Funds.
Tom Smith, emergency management director for the county, helped facilitate the 16-member committee. Members included representatives from the supervisors, Fremont Area United Way, Fremont & Dodge County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, Three Rivers Public Health Department, the county extension office, treasurer’s office, county clerk’s office, 911 dispatch, the county highway department, county sheriff’s office, and county planning and zoning. There were also representatives from the private business sector as well as community members.
Smith said it was an educational experience for everyone involved.
“We learned a lot from our non-governing organizations that are out there assisting in case management within the community,” he said. “Our partnerships are really strong with those organizations like United Way and Habitat for Humanity. They also had to understand our side – the county government side – in wanting to keep taxes low and benefit the entire population of Dodge County, but also provide help to those who really need assistance.”
Dodge County Roads will receive about $3.1 million for road rehabilitation, bridge replacement and bridge repair. The county’s Mutual Aid Association, which includes the sheriff’s office, 911 dispatch, emergency management and fire departments, will receive $250,000 for address signs.
“They sometimes call them 911 signs,” Smith said. “They are the little blue signs out in the rural areas of the county. They help first responders identify addresses.”
The county clerk’s office received $750,000 for office space at a site to be determined while the Fremont Rural Fire Department will receive $263,086 for equipment.
The Dodge County Sheriff’s Department will receive $145,000 for premium/retention pay, $15,000 for bullet proof vests, $55,000 for watch guard video evidence and $148,622 for new cruisers.
Other entities scheduled to receive funds include:
- North Nebraska Community Partnership-Emergency Assistance and Veterans’ Support – $26,000
- Fremont & Dodge County Convention and Visitors Bureau – Travel/Tourism $300,000
- Nickerson Fire and Rescue EMS Equipment – $50,000
- Midland University – Campus Public Health – $100,000
- County Clerk’s Office – Death Expenses – $77,147.32
- Fremont/Dodge PSAP-EMD – $65,000
- Fremont Area Habitat for Humanity – $50,000
- Dodge County Extension – Food Access and Security $75,000
- Fremont Area United Way – $900,000 including $400,000 for State and Local Recovery Funds (SLRF) grant subrecipient, $100,000 for the Olson Center and $400,000 ($100,000 a year) for basic needs funding.
Smith said it was a meticulous process in choosing how the funds would be allocated. There were 33 applications seeking more than $18 million.
“We did some quantitative and qualitative analysis based on some of the criteria that was outlined in the ARPA guidelines and from the Nebraska Association of County Officials and the National Association of County Officials,” he said. “We reviewed a set of applications based on infrastructure, economic impact, public health, public safety and other services to the county. We reviewed them and had discussions before determining the priorities.”
Supervisors chairman Bob Missel lauded the subcommittee for its work during Wednesday morning’s meeting. Smith said panel members put a lot of thought into their final decisions.
“Those organizations that participated really did the bulk of the work and made some tough decisions,” he said.
