Adams County to receive $3.88 million

RITZVILLE – Adams County is projected to receive an estimated $3.88 million in educational and other funds from the most recent federal coronavirus stimulus plan, the American Rescue Plan.

Lind-Ritzville Superintendent Don Vanderholm projected the local school district will receive about $357,970.

"We have been serving students, in-person, since September and accrued all of the usual operating expenses, and then some," Vanderholm said. "Therefore, we truly appreciate these much needed funds."

Vanderholm said transportation funding is a major concern.

"With bussing running daily since September (and, at one time, even twice daily while operating under some very tight guidelines) we are seeing the usual transportation costs," he said. "However, we will receive just a little over 64% of regular transportation funding."

Due to declining enrollment, there is less basic education funding while purchasing online curriculums, personal protection equipment and additional cleaning supplies has driven costs higher.

Elsewhere in the region, Lind and St. John will each receive an estimated $120,000, Sprague $100,000, LaCrosse $70,000, Washtucna $50,000 and Kahlotus $40,000.

The funds are part of the $2.66 billion earmarked for counties and municipalities in the American Rescue Plan.

In addition, the plan includes $2.6 billion for K-12 and university education statewide and $635 million for child care across the state.

In nearby Whitman County, officials estimate local agencies will receive an estimated $9.8 million from teh American Rescue Plan.

Half of the money will arrive over the next 60 days with the other half no earlier than one year after the first disbursement.

County Commissioner Art Swannack of Lamont gave a report from his tractor Friday morning.

“I didn’t expect it to be that big,” he said. “We’re still researching what all it can be used for.”

The money will come straight from the federal government, unlike the $3.75 million received from the CARES Act last year, which was dispersed to small counties through the state Department of Commerce.

Whitman County commissioners have a workshop scheduled for March 29 to discuss ideas for the new money, which will have different parameters than CARES.

“This is as much stimulus money as it is COVID money,” Swannack said.

He suggested part of the total may be used on infrastructure to make up a decrease in gas tax from less driving last year during the shutdowns.