Let’s talk about sports, youth and soccer—and how a few aldermen are holding important funds for our community hostage.
American Rescue Plan, a direct relief effort to prop up the American economy from the repercussions of the pandemic, provides $350 billion in funding for state and local governments. The City of Tullahoma was awarded $5,802,232. Eligible uses for ARPA funds include responses to public health emergencies, mitigating economic harm from the pandemic, serving the hardest hit communities and improving infrastructure.
Our plan for use of the money was voted on and approved by the previous Tullahoma Board of Mayor and Alderman in May 2022; the resolution was to adopt a spending plan for the funds from the fiscal years of 2022 through 2026. The board held three study sessions and a public hearing in April to discuss how funds should be spent. The allocation of funds was made, debated and adopted, but on their first day in office last month, incoming alderman wanted to change these distributions, which is against the rules. Why has this money been delayed by these new aldermen? What do they plan to do other than cause confusion, even amongst themselves, with our ARPA distributions? Is it right for these officials to play around with critical infrastructure spending like this?
More than $1 million was scheduled to benefit our youth sports facilities by building restrooms and a shelter-in-place structure for lightning storms, as well as improving the parking lots at Johnson Lane Recreation Complex, which serves more than 1,000 children and families on game day every single week.
Additionally, more than $1 million was adopted for storm water improvement projects across the city. Shouldn’t we be getting to work on this immediately?
There is much more to be said about the other ARPA projects that are now on hold because of the actions by these aldermen. In the meantime, take a look at what has been approved and what is now in jeopardy.
And if you want to support Tullahoma Soccer Association, please sign this petition and write or call your aldermen to tell them you want to see ARPA funds used wisely, now.
