Subject:
Title
ARPA Interest Funds: Vienna250
Body
PURPOSE:
Staff is seeking Council's direction on whether the proposed $50,000 in ARPA Interest funds for Vienna250, including the allocation of $20,000 to Economic Development and $15,000 to Parks & Recreation, and $15,000 for Vienna250 contingency, and whether this use is consistent with Council's original budget authorization.
KEY QUESTIONS:
1. Does Council agree that the proposed use of $35,000 in ARPA Interest funds for Economic Development ($20,000) and Parks & Recreation ($15,000) is consistent with the intent of the funding approved in the FY2027 budget?
2. If Council does not support the proposed use, should the funds be returned to the ARPA Interest account for future Council-directed priorities?
BACKGROUND SUMMARY:
At the April 27, 2026 Council meeting, staff presented a recommendation to transfer $56,000 in funding received from Fairfax County for Vienna250 programming to Historic Vienna, Inc. (HVI), which would administer the funds and coordinate event-related expenditures. Council approved the recommendation.
During the discussion, Council revisited prior budget work sessions regarding the allocation of $50,000 in Town funding for Vienna250, including the potential use of ARPA interest funds and the importance of transparency and accountability in managing the funds. Staff noted that ARPA interest funds have no spending deadline and are not subject to the same restrictions as the original ARPA funds. They also confirmed that $50,000 had been included in the new budget request for Vienna250.
Staff recommended that any additional $50,000 in Town funding for Vienna250, also be transferred to HVI, along with a clear outline of the proposed uses of the funds, and that the spending plan be presented to and approved by Town Council. While the Town's purchasing procedures do not require Council approval for expenditures under $75,000, Staff recommended that Council nevertheless review and approve the...
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