Flint Council Takes Small Steps Towards Spending ARPA Funds

FLINT, MI (WNEM) – Can Flint City Council members agree on how to spend $23 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money before time runs out?

That’s the question the community was hoping to get an answer to tonight, but TV5’s Trae Harris reported that a solution will have to wait.

Connected: Flint leaders discuss the dangers of not using ARPA funds

“We have made some progress. I will say productivity is 5% right now,” said Lottie Durrett, a resident of Flint’s 1st Ward.

The Flint City Council made progress at a meeting Wednesday night, Nov. 6, voting on how to spend $23 million in ARPA funds ahead of a Dec. 31 deadline.

“Today’s meeting went well, but I think it could have been more productive,” Durrett said.

It’s a sign that the City Council is moving in the right direction, but not before a couple of community members were escorted out by police during public comment.

“How should we feel as citizens when we come down? This is our freedom of choice, these are our chambers, this is where we express our opinions,” Durrett said.

On Wednesday night’s agenda was the vote and approval of ARPA funds to InvolvedDad for mental health support services in a one-time payment of $36,000, with the option to receive more at the board meeting on Monday, November 11th.

Questions have been raised about a proposed tree removal program that would have required city residents to pay back $1,000 spent on tree removal.

Connected: Flint mayor proposes funding for tree removal

But even with that progress, residents like Durrett say it barely scratches the surface of the city work the City Council needs to do.

“Don’t get me wrong, we appreciate that $1,000, but tree removal can cost anywhere from $2,500 to $10,000. Depends on the size of your tree,” she said.

After month of meeting violationsDurrett said she hopes for more professionalism from council members.

“A lot of people deal with feelings. You can’t handle your feelings. It’s a job, you have to do it. Not everyone will agree with you. You can’t bully yourself and say what will be done,” she said.

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