Warren County Weighs Redirecting ARPA Funds fFom Unfinished Broadband Project

LEBANON, OH — Warren County commissioners are considering redirecting millions of dollars from an unfinished broadband project to jail salaries and other previously approved programs to ensure the county does not lose federal pandemic-relief money at the end of the year.

Deputy County Administrator Susan Walther told commissioners during a recent meeting that Warren County received approximately $45 million through the American Rescue Plan Act in 2021. About $40 million has been spent, leaving approximately $4.3 million that must be used by the end of 2026.

Of that amount, approximately $660,000 has not been assigned to a specific use. Another $3.2 million remains connected to the county’s broadband agreement with altafiber.

Walther said it appears unlikely that altafiber will complete enough work to collect the remaining money before the federal spending deadline.

The company billed the county approximately $300,000 in 2025 and only about $14,000 so far this year, Walther said.

Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Adam Kadich said the contract gives altafiber through December to finish the work, but the company appears to have completed only about one-third of the project.

“They’re nowhere near completing the scope,” Kadich said.

County officials have been discussing whether the agreement could be restructured because of unexpected expenses or delays. However, Kadich said altafiber recently indicated it could not provide documentation explaining additional costs.

Kadich said the county could consider mutually terminating the agreement or issuing a termination notice. County staff also planned to meet with company representatives to discuss the contract and possible solutions.

Commissioner Shannon Jones said the county should move quickly if a workable agreement cannot be reached.

“What I don’t want to do is jeopardize the investment that our taxpayers have paid,” Jones said. “We don’t want to leave money on the table.”

Commissioner Dave Young supported redirecting the remaining money, noting that other internet providers have expanded broadband service in Warren County since the altafiber agreement was approved.

Young said the county could use much of the money to reimburse previously approved corrections officer salaries at the Warren County Jail. Officials said approximately $3 million in jail salaries could qualify for ARPA reimbursement.

Kadich said federal rules allow the county to remove money from a contract or project that is not meeting its goals and redirect it to another use that was previously approved for ARPA funding.

Commissioner Tom Grossmann asked whether the county could wait until the end of the year to make the transfer. Walther said the decision would probably need to be completed by the end of November.

“Well, then let’s make sure that happens,” Grossmann said.

The county also must decide how to spend the approximately $660,000 that has not been assigned. Because the federal obligation period has ended, the money can only be directed toward programs or projects the county previously supported with ARPA funds.

Possible recipients include food pantries, United Way programs, the Warren County Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Cincinnati Open tennis tournament and Middletown’s proposed indoor ice and multipurpose event center.

Walther said Warren County previously used ARPA money for park improvements, water treatment facilities, water mains, broadband expansion, the Warren County Fairgrounds, family and children’s services and county government salaries.

No final decision was made during the meeting.

Walther said she will prepare a more detailed list of eligible projects before commissioners continue their discussion. Commissioners also directed county staff to determine how much work altafiber can complete and bill before the contract and federal spending deadline expire.

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