While the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in less sales tax revenue for local municipalities that depend on it to provide services to residents, the Federal government took steps to ensure that cities would be made whole.

And on Monday, Jan. 23, the Lathrop City Council will be holding a special meeting where they will discuss the city’s allotment from the American Rescue Plan Act and will lay out its list of priorities for how the money will be allocated.

The meeting will take place at Lathrop City Hall – located at 390 Towne Centre Drive – inside of the council chambers starting at 6 p.m. A copy of the agenda can be found by visiting the City of Lathrop’s website at www.ci.lathrop.ca.us.

According to a presentation made to the council in January of last year, Lathrop expected to take in roughly $27.3 million in revenue in 2020, but only ended up seeing just under $24.5 million in revenue.

Lathrop was set to receive its first installment of ARPA funding in July of 2021 – approximately $2.9 million – and was slated to receive the same amount of funding in July of last year. According to the text in the presentation about ARPA funding, the council will have to obligate that $5.8 million in funding by the end of 2024, and the money will need to be spent by the end of 2026 to remain in compliance with the rules of the program.

The money was intended to assist with recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and aid in specific types of infrastructure investment – closing the gap between lost revenue from business disruptions and mandatory shutdown orders.

In addition to pandemic response and public safety efforts, ARPA funding can also be used for water and sewer infrastructure, and broadband infrastructure intended to increase the available of high-speed internet to all residents.

For additional information, or to obtain a copy of an upcoming agenda, visit the City of Lathrop’s website at www.ci.lathrop.ca.us.

To contact Bulletin reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.