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LYNNWOOD—The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), signed into law on March 11, 2021, by President Joe Biden, provided $350 billion through the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds to state, local, territorial, and Tribal governments to support recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Cities with populations under 50,000, such as Lynnwood, received funds through state governments, allocated based on population share, with a cap at 75% of their most recent budget as of January 27, 2020. In Lynnwood’s case this amounted to just over $10.9 million.

Local governments had to obligate the funds by December 31, 2024, and spend the monies no later than December 31, 2026. Now that all of Lynnwood’s $10.9 million in ARPA funds have now been spent, below is a breakdown of where the monies went:

Non-Lynnwood Government ARPA Expenditures of $2,528,625

• VOAWW Neighborhood Center Construction, $998,500
• Heroes’ Café, $15,000
• Lynnwood Food Bank, $400,000
• C2 Education of Lynnwood, $59,623
• NW Veteran’s Museum, $2,099
• Sno-Isle Genealogical Society, $2,500
• Lynnwood Alderwood-Manor Heritage Assn., $2,500
• Kids in Transition Snohomish County Grant Match, $146,636
• Lynnwood Chamber of Commerce Shop Lynnwood, $23,610
• VOAWW Rapid Rehousing Snohomish County Grant Match, $110,736
• ACCESS project, $129,469
• Evergreen Recovery Centers: Hire 2 Additional Nurses, $252,720
• CHS Edmonds School District School Based Clinicians, $199,657
• Clothes for Kids, Clothing, $58,500
• Keep Dreams Alive Foundation Housing Academy, $5,874
• Foundation for Edmonds School District: On the Job Training Program, $43,200
• Food Programs Homage Senior Services, $3,000
• Center for Healthy Living, $75,000

Lynnwood Government ARPA Expenditures of $8,408,179

Lynnwood Parks Recreation and Cultural Arts – $2,619,162

• Recreation Scholarships, $17,484
• Scriber Lake Park Boardwalk, $2,000,000
• Community and Human Services Position (1FTE), $291,858
• Hire 2FTE MW for Parks Graffiti Mitigation & Trailer, $260,424
• Gold Park Fencing, $49,396

Lynnwood Police Department – $2,546,546

• Body camera equipment, services, and warranty, and 30 tasers for PD, $618,265
• Body camera program staff (1 FTE), $52,312
• 5 new full time police officers through 2024 (5 FTE), $1,815,981
• Lynnwood Police Assistance Fund, $45,000
• Gun Buy Back Program, $7,688
• Community Families in Need Holiday Gift Cards, $7,300

Lynnwood Public Works – $2,849,271

• PW Custodian (1 FTE), $18,720
• Residential Street Improvements, $2,849,271

Lynnwood City Council – $148,259

• City Council Chambers Audio/Visual Upgrades, $148,259

Lynnwood Finance Department – $162,013

• Part-time Accountant to manage ARPA funds (.5 FTE), $162,013

Lynnwood Municipal Court – $64,209

• Lynnwood Municipal Court Audio/Visual Upgrades, $64,209

Approximately 68% of the funds were allocated in 2024, 21% in 2023, and the remaining 11% in years 2021, 2022, and 2025.

ARPA Funds were eligible for the following uses:

• Replace lost public sector revenue due to the pandemic.
• Respond to public health and economic impacts (e.g., aid to households, small businesses, nonprofits, and affected industries like tourism).
• Provide premium pay for essential workers.
• Invest in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure.
• Support surface transportation and Title I projects (e.g., Community Development Block Grant activities).
• Provide emergency relief for natural disasters.
• Funds could not be used for pension fund deposits, tax reductions, or to offset tax delays.

Municipalities were required to submit Project and Expenditure Reports to the U.S. Treasury, no later than April 30, 2025. Non-compliance, like late submissions, could lead to adverse action from the Treasury, including federal recapture of funds.

Author: Mario Lotmore