ORANGE PARK – Town residents may see home improvements, additional holiday lights and new surfacing at Clarke Park thanks to federal disaster relief funding.

With a unanimous vote, town council members approved $150,000 in the American Rescue Plan Act funding for a home improvement plan run by Builders Care, an organization that would oversee the program’s planning, permitting and construction.

The funds are capped at $15,000 for each homeowner. Town documents specify factors that could lead to approval such as the applicants being more than 65 years or older, veterans or the primary caregivers of children 12 years or younger.

Town Manager Sarah Campbell said the town’s role is to oversee the process and coordinate with the participants.

The ordinance said the town manager has to approve funds higher than $15,000. Council Member Susana Thompson moved for an amendment, which was denied by a 3-2 vote, to put those requests before the town council instead.

Thompson said large amounts of money authorized could reduce the number of people participating. She said special meetings could work to hear requests.

“If we start spending money up and above that $15,000, it could reduce the amount of homeowners that are aided,” Thompson said. “This is why I think it should come back to us, for us to approve the additional funds should they need it.”

Council Member Alan Watt said the town can add money to the $150,000. Watt said the town manager already has the authority to spend up to $25,000 and said the funds didn’t need to be delayed.

“I see no reason to micromanage $10,000 and throw everything into a delay for somebody who desperately needs to fix a failing roof,” Watt said. “It’s just not necessary.”

Campbell later said items that exceed $15,000 would likely be due to unforeseen circumstances. Thompson later proposed an amendment to cap the town manager’s authority to exceed projects of $15,000 by a maximum of 10%, and it passed unanimously. In another section of ARPA discussion, council members reviewed two potential two stormwater improvement projects. The town has $500,000 of its ARPA funds set aside for stormwater.

Town council members reviewed a 3.26-acre parcel appraised at $49,000 near Park Avenue and Elbow Road that would give town staff access to Johnson Slough. Council members directed staff to begin the offer process.

“I think this a valuable piece for the town to get because we don’t have access to the slough right now,” Campbell said.

The second 5.3-acre parcel on Solomon Street is considered a problem area and provides access to a creek near Clarke Park. An appraisal of this property has been ordered by town staff and the item was tabled.

In other business, council members also approved, with a 3-2 vote, $89,907 for the installation of the pour-in-place surface at Clarke Park. The quote presented Tuesday night would also add a 3,700 square footpath. The surface would be similar to Town Hall Park and would take about a week to finish.

“It’ll definitely make the park look nice,” Council Member John Hauber added.

Another ARPA-related item presented council members with four options to purchase holiday lights. 

Mayor Randy Anderson wanted only the main corridors done, U.S. Highway 17 and Kingsley Avenue. The town pivoted to asking town staff to purchase 73 lights, which could cost about $155,000. A vote for the 73 lights failed, 3-2. However, a motion for 43 lights, about $92,000, passed, 4-1.