Orange Park appropriates half of its federal disaster relief dollars
ORANGE PARK— More than $2.2 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds were assigned to a myriad of items at the town of Orange Park's meeting Tuesday night.
Council members approved a package …
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Orange Park appropriates half of its federal disaster relief dollars
ORANGE PARK— More than $2.2 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds were assigned to a myriad of items at the town of Orange Park's meeting Tuesday night.
Council members approved a package including $750,000 for stormwater improvements, $190,000 for police body worn cameras, $150,000 for housing assistance and $100,000 each for T.C. Miller Center improvements and childcare. For nonprofit Clothes Closet, the spending plan also earmarks $30,000 for a new parking lot and a $20,000 donation.
The rest of the spending tackles broadband, COVID-19 pay and paying for an employee to administer the funds.
The town was allocated $4.4 million from the federal government and council members sought to specify where close to half of the amount was going Tuesday.
“You still have a lot of room to add additional projects as we move forward,” Town Manager Sarah Campbell said.
Council member John Hauber said the town had been kicking the can around when it came to premium pay for essential workers. The council members later approved $1,500 in premium pay for public safety employees, $1,000 for full-time staff and $500 for part-time staff.
“You got individuals on the frontlines day in and day out … they were doing the work while 98% were staying inside our houses,” Hauber said.
Council member Alan Watt believed the town should pay for police and fire-related training, with Orange Park Police Chief Gary Goble adding the reimbursement should occur after an officer’s one-year probationary period is complete.
“I was really surprised these young people have to pay for their training,” Watt said. “… They never get reimbursed for that training.”
Mayor Randy Anderson supported paying for training and broadband improvements, but asked how the town would fit the bill when the ARPA funding was over.
“When this money is gone, what is it going to cost the town?” he asked.
About $30,000 was tentatively set aside for a dog park and $16,000 for the public safety training reimbursements. Council members decided money for flag mounts and Christmas lights and decorations could be postponed until a figure for those items is established.
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