City Council Discusses Use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds

The Southlake City Council has begun work to earmark more than $8 million of federal funds the city is expected to receive from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

In Tuesday’s City Council meeting, the city discussed the staff recommendation to use the funds for water infrastructure improvements.

“Our recommendation was built around the desire to advance key water projects to strengthen our system and accelerate construction of large, high-impact projects,” said Assistant City Manager Alison Ortowski, who has been appointed as the city’s ARPA Program Director. “We are prioritizing projects that meet the federal guidelines and can be completed within the grant timeframe.”

Council provided staff with direction to move forward with the plan as presented. Next steps will include finalizing the project priority list, developing conceptual costs and a project schedule. Once plans are finalized, projects will be designed, and all approved projects must be completed by the federal deadline of December 2026.

All ARPA funds that are utilized adhere to a strict set of guidelines which relate back to COVID-19.

ARPA projects will complement the city’s ongoing work on its water infrastructure. Projects most recently completed include the installation of larger water lines on North White Chapel, along SH 114, in the southern part of the city near the fuel farms, and along TW King. The City has also coordinated with the City of Colleyville for an interconnection, like the interconnection already in place with the City of Grapevine. Pump station infrastructure has been improved, and power assessments have been completed. Technology upgrades and corrective maintenance throughout the system have also been accomplished.