ARPA funding finally issued to Winnebago County municipalities, nonprofits

OSHKOSH – Municipalities and nonprofit organizations have their money.

Four months after first being approved for federal funding, almost all of the 18 nonprofits and municipalities in Winnebago County that were promised American Rescue Plan Act grants have confirmed receiving theirs while the others say they are in the process of getting theirs.

The eventual payments were issued a month after an Oshkosh Herald article revealed almost 20 entities were still awaiting almost $7 million of ARPA funding approved by the Winnebago County Board since March.

But County Executive Jon Doemel and Finance Director Paul Kaiser came out just days later to say the county was merely following state statutes and the grants would be issued by the end of June.

“We received the funds as promised on July 1, so we’re happy and we look forward to continue working with the county,” said town of Algoma Administrator Margaret Mahoney.

Algoma received $387,500 for a two-lane roundabout at the intersection of Leonard Point Road and State 21 while Neenah got $300,000 in matching funds to acquire police barricades.

Omro is in the process of getting $343,000 to replace its main water, sewer and utility line under the Fox River, and Winneconne received funding for renovations to Lake Winneconne Park.

Fox Cities Habitat, NOVA Counseling, Solutions Recovery, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Oshkosh and YMCAs in Oshkosh and Neenah were also allocated individual grants of $500,000.

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Doemel said the holdup stemmed from additional legal requirements from the state.

According to Doemel, part of the reason for the initial holdup stemmed from the additional legal requirements handed down from the state.

Those additional requirements appeared to be a source of contention for some municipalities, who complained of being hit with new, last-minute requirements and stipulations.

In some instances, entities were being required to enter “grant contracts” with the county to receive funding.

“I think this was a new process and we had to refine some things so the next time we have to go through this process it will be more streamlined and efficient,” said Winneconne Village Administrator Logan Fuller.

“But we’re all good. We received the money a couple weeks ago and it will do a lot of good in the community.”

There also appeared to be some confusion over the manner of dispersal, as Algoma officials initially questioned whether the funds would be “given up front” or as a reimbursement.

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“A lot of people had some questions, as is their right, but in the end, we got all of our contracts out and we’re doing a lot of good out there,” Doemel said.

“I think the process has been great, and I am proud of our team for administrating this as quick as we have because for the speed of government, I think we are flying.”

Winnebago County received $33 million in federal funding to assist in the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, but all of that money has to be allocated before 2025.

Have a story tip or public interest concern? Contact Justin Marville at jmarville@gannett.com.