Committee exploring how to spend Tippecanoe County's $38M stimulus check

As News 18 previously reported, local governments will be flush with cash thanks to the American Rescue Plan.

Tippecanoe County will receive $38 million dollars.

Spend an influx of cash from the new federal stimulus package.

News 18's joe paul has been reporting on how much money local governments could receive as part of the stimulus.

He joins us live with the latest.

Joe?

As we've previously reported, local governments will be flush with cash thanks to the american rescue plan.

And tippecanoe county will receive the biggest piece of the pie at $38 million dollars.

But officials say a lot of clarification is needed on how they can spend the money.

The committee is comprised of tippecanoe county commissioner tom murtaugh and three county council members.

The committee met for the first time last week but is waiting for guidance from the u.s. department of the treasury.

County council member roland (rahl-and) winger is part of the committee.

He says the plan restricts infrastructure investments to water, sewer and broadband systems. obviously, one-time money should never be considered for ongoing operational money, so then when restricted in the manner we are, it takes a lot of infrastructure projects out of play that we would otherwise do.

Winger would like to spend more broadly on infrastructure because the county is less involved in local water and sewer systems. but he's also intrigued by the possibility of expaing high-speed internet access across the county.

The plan also allows for other types of spending, like offsetting the economic and public health costs of the pandemic.

The money can be spent over a two-year period.

The committee hopes to have a plan in place by may.

Reporting live in tippecanoe county, joe paul, news 18.

The 2021 legislative session