WEST ALEXANDRIA — As a result of the economic and health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus bill was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden on March 11, 2021. It was titled the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, or more frequently, ARPA. ARPAs goal was to help facilitate the financial recovery for recipients, and to ease the fiscal strains of the ongoing recession.
Preble County received approximately $8 million in ARPA funding, an amount which is available for use at the discretion of the Preble County Board of Commissioners. The funds have been of great concern to many members of the county since its receipt.
Recently, the funding has again been a topic of concern, this time among members of West Alexandria Village Council, as council member Dan Utsinger pointed out during a meeting held Jan. 9.
“Just so the community knows, (the commissioners) have $8 million of ARPA money, on top of the $8 million grant they got for Sewer District 6,” Utsinger stated.
“My concern was I’ve heard rumors – I don’t know if they’re true or not – They are going to put upward of two and a half million dollars into Sewer District 6. So, I formally requested, if they’re going to do that for Sewer District 6, we’d like matching funds. Two and a half million dollars for West Alexandria,” he said.
“I didn’t expect to get a response — haven’t got one yet. But that request is still out there. I also did a public records request on how they’ve used some of the funds. Some of them went to the sheriff’s office, Lewisburg capitalized on some of them,” Utsinger said.
Council member Holly Robbins said she “appreciated” Utsinger’s letter to the county commissioners, even though they “haven’t responded.”
“The ARPA money to the county, in my opinion — I mean, they can do with it what they want. They’re the commissioners. But it was to improve the county as a whole. So, you know what, I empathize with Sewer District 6, but I don’t care. Because our residents are paying high rates for water and sewer,” continued Utsinger.
Utsinger expressed these concerns among council’s ongoing decisions to raise rates on both water services and sewer system services.
“So, I don’t think taking half that money and bailing them out is the right way. So, as a secondary thought to my letter, I took the 2020 census of incorporated areas and broke it out, divided by $8 million. So, if you wanted to do it fair, they’d give Eaton three and a half million, they’d give us $700,000, they’d give Camden $900,000,” said Utsinger.
“My biggest concern is I don’t know what they plan on doing with that money. I think that’s a fair question for anybody who lives in the county, to say ‘what are your intentions with the $8 million dollars?’” Utsinger finished.
Utsinger sent his formal request on Dec. 21, 2022. It can be found below.
“Dear Commissioners, I did a public records request and was informed the current ARPA fund balance is just shy of $8M. I have heard rumors part of this ARPA fund, on top of the $8M grant, will be used for Sewer District 6. My questions are as follows: 1. Are there current plans for the ARPA funds? If so, could you please let me know what they are? (If indeed $2M+ is going to be used for Sewer District 6 I would like to formally request the same amount on behalf of West Alexandria to offset the cost of our new sewer plant.)
If there are no current plans I would like to make the following recommendation:
| Incorporated | 2020 Census | Population % | Amount |
| Camden | 1989 | 11.3% | $790.810 |
| College Corner | 387 | 2.2% | $153.868 |
| Eaton | 8375 | 47.6% | $3.329.831 |
| Eldorado | 458 | 2.6% | $182.097 |
| Gratis | 842 | 4.8% | $334.772 |
| Lewisburg | 1745 | 9.9% | $693.798 |
| Verona | 1494 | 8.5% | $594.002 |
| New Paris | 403 | 2.3% | $160.229 |
| West Alexandria | 1334 | 7.6% | $530.387 |
| West Elkton | 164 | 0.9% | $65.205 |
| West Manchester | 415 | 2.4% | $165.001 |
| $7.000.000 |
This would greatly enhance our county, allowing incorporated areas to improve their roads, improve infrastructures, or address slum & blight. All benefiting the greater population of Preble County. This money was intended for the betterment of all and I believe it should be dispersed equally throughout the county; not just one unincorporated area taking +25 percent. The above recommendation would also leave about $975,000 for county discretion to help other worthy projects and/or organizations for the greater good of the public. I look forward to getting a response and would be available to attend a meeting in person to discuss if needed. Thank you, Dan Utsinger.”
At press time, the Preble County Board of Commissioners has issued no response to Utsinger’s request.
Reach Nathan Hoskins at 937-683-4057
