San Diego City Wire

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors has unanimously approved a spending plan for the final $102 million of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. This decision comes after the County received $650 million in ARPA funds from the federal government in 2021 to aid in the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The approved plan breaks down the remaining $102 million in ARPA funds into two categories: $67 million for the ARPA framework funds and $35 million dedicated to "evergreen" programs. The "evergreen" component focuses on programs with lasting benefits in areas such as behavioral health, housing, climate change, economic prosperity, homelessness, and workforce development.

Regarding the ARPA framework funds, the Board of Supervisors approved a specific breakdown, the details of which will be presented to the board by staff in the coming months. The County has until December 2026 to fully utilize the ARPA funds in accordance with the federal guidelines.

"The Board approved the following breakdown of ARPA Framework funds," stated the County Board of Supervisors.

"In the coming months, staff will present to the board more detailed recommendations on today’s approved ARPA spending," added the source.

This decision marks a significant step in utilizing the ARPA funds to address the ongoing challenges faced by the San Diego County community in the wake of the pandemic and its aftermath.