As I have reported here previously, Fishers will not receive the roughly $19 million initially expected from the American Rescue Plan (ARP).  The city is now projected to receive $6.9 million.  How did this happen?

City Controller Lisa Bradford told the Fishers City Council Finance Committee Wednesday that the answer lies in the details of  regulations issued May 10th by the United States Department of Treasury.  It boils down to whether Fishers is an entitlement city or a non-entitlement city.

The difference between the two can be very technical, but Bradford told the Finance Committee that Fishers, Carmel and Noblesville saw a big reduction in the ARP money allocation.  That’s why the amount of ARP cash coming to Fishers is $6.9 million, not the roughly $19 million that was expected earlier.

Bradford said 142 cities nation-wide were reclassified from entitlement to non-entitlement cities, based on Housing and Urban Development (HUD) guidelines, which factor-in income and poverty levels to the determination.  That’s why Fishers, Carmel and Noblesville were reclassified and will receive millions less than originally projected last March.

As to what Fishers can do about this, the city controller says not much.

“We beat down a lot of doors, explored a lot of avenues,” said Bradford.  “Unfortunately, there’s not a lot you can do within the authority contained in the guidance.”  The city does plan on submitting comments to federal authorities about this decision.

According to Bradford, the city is disappointed that the number was unexpectedly reduced, but reminded the Finance Committee members that, on the bright side, Fishers will receive nearly $7 million that was not anticipated before ARP was signed into law.