(Waupun) The city of Waupun has outlined several key focus areas to spend their American Rescue Plan Act funding on. City leaders held several workshops over the winter months to discuss the best ways to utilize their nearly $1.2-million-dollars in ARPA money.
Consensus was a challenge to achieve as those on the common council had different priorities and certain projects would have used up most if not all of their funding. However, there was a common agreement to use the money on public safety.
Mayor Rohn Bishop and City Administrator Kathy Schlieve were tasked with developing an ARPA spending plan. With public safety a focal point, Bishop says a part of the funding will go towards replacing a leaking roof at the fire department.
“One morning this spring the fire chief walked into the fire department and the overhead garage door opener was just hanging there…almost ready to crash on to a fire truck,” says Bishop. “Upon further inspection, they found a roof leak and some rotten wood…we had a couple other leaks in the building. The ARPA funds were allowed to be spent for repairing the roof at the police and fire department. And it’s a public safety thing so that was kind of a no brainer…the city council approved that.”
Bishop says he targeted childcare expansion as an important service to the community.
“Childcare is a huge issue in Waupun and elsewhere…we only have one daycare in Waupun…they’re looking at growing and ARPA funds is one way of helping them expand,” says Bishop. “The city council approved that. So, we got some money set aside for the local daycare to expand. Hopefully, that will help us get the waiting list for kids in daycare to get back down.”
Bishop says another top priority for him is supporting youth sports.
“One example is the baseball turf…it’s going to wear out in the next few years…we can take the turf out and put in good old fashioned dirt which is absolutely free,” says Bishop. “But we will never host another one of these Legion tournaments because they want to be where that turf is guaranteed that if you get a heck of rainstorm, you’re still going to play the games eventually because that turf is built for it.”
The mayor also noted that the indoor hockey rink could be updated, as the facility has been around since the mid-1970’s and is wearing out. Bishop added that both sports bring in tournaments throughout the year as well as visitors who eat at local restaurants, shop at local business, and stay at local hotels.
ARPA dollars must be committed no later than 2024 and be expended by the end of 2026.
