Rescue Plan Act spending approved in Dewey Beach

Dewey Beach commissioners voted unanimously Dec. 2 to approve spending of American Rescue Plan Act funds on premium pay for essential workers, new heat and air facilities for town hall and the lifesaving station, and on a stormwater repair project on Read Avenue. 

The town was designated $215,000 in ARPA funding based on its year-round census of 400 people, Town Manager Bill Zolper said.

Zolper said he evaluated potential projects and guidelines for use of the money, and attorneys from Barnes & Thornburg reviewed plans to ensure spending met federal criteria.

Regarding premium pay for essential employees, Zolper said 10 full-time police officers will receive $2 for every hour worked from March 23, 2020 to July 13, 2021. Each officer will receive about $5,000, totaling $50,000. 

Essential town employees will receive $1 for every hour worked from March 23, 2020 to July 13, 2021, for a grand total of $79,000 in premium pay for essential police officers and town employees, which Zolper said he hopes to distribute before Christmas.

Also approved under the federal guidelines are new heat and air facilities for town hall and the lifesaving station for an estimated $31,000, the approved Read Avenue stormwater repair project at $27,000, and a pump rebuild for $2,300, Zolper said.

The entire projected expenses are just over $138,000, so the town will have a balance of $75,000, which must be used within three years, Zolper said. The town received the first federal disbursement of $107,000 and should receive the next $107,000 within six months, he said.

All receipts will be entered into the Gray Fox program on the state auditor’s office website for public access, Zolper said.