With the end of 2026 nearing, the deadline to spend COVID-19 pandemic relief funds is around the corner. That means the city of Springfield, which received just more than $40 million, is reallocating funds earmarked for organizations that have not met their contract deadlines.
Since the city received the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds in 2021, the money has supported retention payments for police, fire and health departments, several community organization facility projects and efforts to address housing and homelessness. By and large, most of the money allocated has been spent, though some final funds were reallocated to ensure they meet the year-end deadline.
The city's ARPA Review Committee met Wednesday, Oct. 14 for the final time to
ensure all of the ARPA funds allocated are on track to be spent. The committee ultimately decided to reallocate funds meant for Restore SGF, a nonprofit focused on neighborhood revitalization and improved homeownership, and Community Partnership of the Ozarks' purpose-driven day center project, because their reimbursement requests did not meet the contractual deadlines set for September.
Restore SGF still had nearly $24,000 available from the total $1 million it had been awarded. Jody Vernon, the city's assistant director of finance, said while the organization had spent this amount and submitted its reimbursement request by the Sept. 15 contractual deadline, corrections were needed with additional documentation requested. Restore SGF did submit a revised request after the deadline, she said, though they had swapped the expenditures and corrections were still necessary.
Restore SGF Executive Director Brendan Griesemer told the News-Leader they believe this to be an error as the funds were expended months ago and are working with staff to better understand the issue.
CPO, which was awarded $3 million for the project, had met its deadlines, though two of the checks had not yet cleared by those deadlines. Records of the checks being cashed are needed for the city to approve reimbursement. One of the checks cleared Oct. 13, while another one totaling just over $3,000 still remained. Vernon told the committee the check was signed Sept. 30, the spend date for the contract. At its August meeting, the committee denied CPO an extension of the contract sought for possible additional property acquisition behind the day center.
While committee members expressed regrets for having to reallocate the funds, they also noted that the contractual deadlines had already passed and the city needed time to create a final report and have all funds accounted for.
"All year we've been talking about 'get your money spent, get your reimbursements in,' and all the other organizations did that by the contract deadline," said Councilwoman Heather Hardinger. "So, we're getting down to the wire, and I want to make sure staff have time to prepare their final reports."
Councilwoman Monica Horton, while supportive of sticking to the requirements set out in the contracts, expressed concern that the organizations would feel like they were not fully aware of the situation, that requesting an extension was an option and that "communication fell through the cracks." Vernon said city staff had been in continuous communication with the organizations involved and the contract was clear in its deadlines and requirements.
"The conversations were more focused on the spend date as opposed to the reimbursement request date, but they do go hand-in-hand and the contract language is clear on that," Vernon said.
Out of internal projects, roughly $9,600 in ARPA funds are still outstanding for the Renew Jordan Creek project. Vernon said there was no concern about spending the full amount before the end of the year.
In addition to the full Restore SGF remaining funds and the amount not cashed by CPO, the committee also reallocated just under $4,000 of leftover funds from the Ozark Greenways Chadwick Flyer Trail project. In total, roughly $30,600 was reallocated to go toward renovations at Historic City Hall. At its previous meeting in August, the committee had also reallocated just over $2,000 in completed project balances to the city hall project, according to meeting minutes.
At the Monday, Oct. 12 Springfield City Council meeting, City Manager David Cameron shared that additional conditions and new work have been uncovered at the historic building that were not initially anticipated. This has meant that the cost of the years-long project has increased and completion has been delayed until fall 2027. Late last year, the work was anticipated to be complete by the end of 2026 and cost roughly $26 million in total. On Monday, Cameron said he has authorized the use of bond contingency funds and Capital Improvement Sales Tax reserves that were previously set aside as contingency for Renew Jordan Creek but not used.
The rehabilitation of the 132-year-building has been lengthy and cumbersome. Council meetings have not taken place in the historic council chambers for three years to allow for the renovations. The project aims to modernize the building to meet current needs and accessibility standards while honoring its historic character.
The city will publish a final report on ARPA funds on Dec. 31.
Marta Mieze covers local government at the News-Leader. Have feedback, tips or story ideas? Contact her at mmieze@news-leader.com.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: With end of 2026 near, Springfield reallocates final ARPA funds
