County votes to use ARPA funding to pay the cost of a roofing system for new library

The issue of the library came to a head at Wednesday’s Accomack County Board of Supervisors Meeting.The Board of was asked to award American Rescue Plan funding to fund a cost over run on the roof at the new library in Parksley. Supervisor Paul Muhly made the motion . The passing of the motion would allow the funding of the project in lieu of tax dollars.

ARPA rules allow for rescue plan money to be used for revenue replacement. U.S. Treasury guidance specifically comments that “pay-go” spending for building new infrastructure is a permitted use of revenue replacement funds.

The amount of money requested is $215,493.

An unusually contentious debate began when Chairman Wolfe stated that we are between a rock and a hard place. We have started construction and are stuck with a building with additional costs. Where does it end?

Supervisor Muhly said this is a county project. The county owns the building and the Library Board has no ownership for at least 20 years. Muhly said it is time to take the bull by the horns, realize where we are and complete the roof and move forward with this project.

Wolfe said that the final three items at a recent Town Hall Meeting did not include the library. How can we ignore the wishes of the public?

Supervisor Major said, ” what do you propose, do we just let the building stay there? I have always been a proponent of the library. Since we do have these ARPA funds , since we have an avenue but I propose we use it. We can’t put all of this money in a building and let it sit and do nothing. I’ve heard why we shouldn’t, but what is your solution?”.

Supervisor Crockett then made a motion to expend the contingency fund and let the library come back if needed.