Community Weighs In On ARPA Requests

Parents who have lost children, recovering addicts who healed through treatment, and outreach workers serving vulnerable populations were among the dozens of people who shared emotional public comment Wednesday pleading with Grand Traverse County commissioners to fund specific community projects through the county’s $18.1 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Commissioners agreed to hold a special meeting Monday to talk through their own top choices and could make at least some funding decisions as soon as next week.

After hearing recommendations from a community advisory committee last week on the top projects recommended for funding – a “tier one” group that includes 18 projects totaling over $23 million – commissioners held a study session Wednesday to hear public input. Leaders and partners of numerous health and social service organizations showed up to talk about the importance of their work and the residents they serve.

Scott Scholten and Arlene Kashata, both of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, advocated for a $4 million request from Addiction Treatment Services to expand its Family Road to Recovery program. The program provides access to treatment “for two of the most significant populations at risk, pregnant women and women with children,” according to ATS. Scholten said the Band has “many clients that use (ATS) facilities and their programming,” and that as a former addict who was “lucky to be alive,” he understood firsthand that recovery services “keep our community healthy and happy.” Kashata said ATS is the only organization providing full detox services in the community; when those services are full, she sometimes has to send clients two or three hours south for detox. “With ATS, there’s an opportunity for hope,” she said.

Jane Fochtman, a retired educator and professional counselor, spoke in favor of a $325,000 request from Michael’s Place to grief support services for students and families in schools across Grand Traverse County. Fochtman, who has lost a child, said Michael’s Place provides “care that is sustained and far-reaching” for individuals experiencing grief. For children struggling with trauma and loss, Fochtman said it was vital that “kids can see they’re not alone in this grief” and receive “tools to be emotionally strong.” 

Other local professionals also spoke to the need for increased community mental health services. Heidi Britton, CEO of Northwest Michigan Health Services, said her organization’s $150,000 request would help fund the completion of a child and adolescent health center at TC West Middle School that would serve children across the district. “There’s great need there,” she said. “The schools can’t do it on their own. They need support.” Kate Dahlstrom, co-lead for an action team requesting $5 million for a new regional mental wellness center, said many social service agencies are currently “working in silos.” The wellness center would “not only provide crisis services” but act as a “hub” for coordination of mental healthcare, Dalhstrom said. Ginger Kadlec of the Traverse Bay Children's Advocacy Center noted that many of the mental health issues adults struggle with across the region stem from childhood traumas, something her organization specializes in addressing.

Former Traverse City Mayor Jim Carruthers advocated for projects serving our “most vulnerable citizens,” from the reconstruction of the Traverse City Senior Center to Dann’s House – which provides supportive housing for individuals experiencing homelessness and substance abuse disorder – to Goodwill’s proposal to build permanent supportive housing on city-donated land on Station Street. “We need to build more housing for the homeless,” Carruthers said. Multiple community members also spoke in favor of outdoor and recreational improvements as a way to provide improve community physical and mental health, such as infrastructure improvements at the nonprofit Mt. Holiday and local trail expansions.

Multiple government leaders spoke in favor of infrastructure projects in their communities, but acknowledged those requests may not be as emotionally compelling as others. “There’s absolutely nothing I can spin about water lines that’s heartfelt,” said Kingsley Village Manager Kaitlyn Aldrich, to audience laughter. Still, Aldrich said Kingsley was facing a $1.5 million shortfall for a crucial project to replace its lead service lines. Garfield Township Supervisor Chuck Korn joked he was also present “to talk about boring old water and sewer,” saying that while his township’s infrastructure projects didn’t make the list of tier-one recommended projects, they would support housing and economic development and deserved a closer look.

County Administrator Nate Alger reminded commissioners that all funding decisions will ultimately be theirs, regardless of the recommendations of the advisory committee. He said the board also needs to decide how much – if any – of the $18.1 million to hold back for county projects. He recommended reserving up to $3 million for “county-specific use,” noting the county has greater spending flexibility with those dollars than some of the other ARPA projects and that staff were compiling a list of recommended projects for consideration. Commissioners will also have to decide whether some projects receive partial instead of full funding. Some organizations said they’d be grateful for any dollars, but Alger noted other projects might not be viable or would need to be reworked if only partial funding was granted. 

Commissioners agreed to schedule a special meeting on Monday, December 19 at 10:30am to discuss their project preferences for ARPA funding. At the suggestion of Commissioner Darryl Nelson, commissioners plan to come prepared with a list of their own top selections. The board will compare notes and see where there’s overlap, with the potential to make recommendations that could be considered and voted on at their regular meeting on Wednesday, December 21. That means there’s the possibility for at least some organizations to be chosen for funding before the end of the year – and before an entirely new slate of commissioners comes online January 1.