Government
BY SARAH BRAGER
Harris County talks future of ARPA programs Harris County commissioners will review the future of several county programs created with funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, a 2021 federal aid package supporting local governments after the COVID-19 pandemic. The details With ARPA support set to expire at the end of 2026, commissioners voted Feb. 26 to consider nearly $14 million in general fund appro- priations in scal year 2026-27
that would allow the county to continue the services. The appropriations could sup- port nine areas, said Tom Hargis, director of grants and partnerships for the Oce of County Admin- istration. Hargis said the ARPA committee will work with county departments to develop a “current level of service” budget for each program to maintain the existing services in the next scal year. What’s next? The action does not guarantee all nine programs will be included in the next general fund. Harris County commissioners are expected to review the initial FY 2026-27 budget proposal around August, with nal approval in late September.
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Harris County ARPA-funded services to be considered in FY 202627 budget
$4M: Apprenticeship Advantage Program $2.3M: Food & Nutrition $2.215M: Homelessness $1.23M: Maternal Health $1.1M: Chronic Disease Prevention $1M: Eviction Support & Diversion/Legal Aid $1M: Behavioral Health $600,000: Women's Empowerment Center $500,000: Youth Diversion
SOURCE: OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATIONCOMMUNITY IMPACT
$88M clean energy projects advance
Harris County commissioners on March 19 authorized $88.3 million to fund projects for the Solar for All plan despite the Envi- ronmental Protection Agency’s attempted termination of grants associated with the program. Har- ris County led a lawsuit against the EPA in October to reclaim the funds, and ocials said a decision is expected later this year.
What you need to know The March 19 vote authorized county sta to execute solar power and battery energy storage projects at approximately 6-10 locations across Harris County, which energy providers will be able to then deploy to qualifying low-income households. County ocials said exact proj- ect sites are still being evaluated.
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CYFAIR JERSEY VILLAGE EDITION
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