Silver Sage, Arthur Nagel receive American Rescue Plan Act funds

The Bandera County Commissioners Court approved $100,000 in funds from the American Rescue Plan Act to be distributed to the Silver Sage Senior Center and the Arthur Nagel Community Clinic at their December 9 meeting.

$50,000 will be granted to each organization for their expansive needs, with the money coming directly from the funds that were given to Bandera County from the federal government through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)

ARPA is a bill that provides additional relief to cover the continued impact of Covid-19 on the economy, public health, state and local governments, individuals, and businesses.

Per County Auditor Darryl Sadler, approximately two million dollars of ARPA funds have already been provided to Bandera County, while another two million dollars will be coming and is to be spent over the next four years.

Commissioner Jody Rutherford, who requested the funds be allocated to Silver Sage and Arthur Nagel, expressed that these organizations especially need the money now.

“There is no sense in sitting on this money. It needs to be spent on the citizens of Bandera County,” sai Rutherford.

Rutherford explained Silver Sage had already spent $9,000 on meals this year and the Arthur Nagel Clinic has taken on more people during the COVID-19 period, specifically due to mental crisis that arose as a result of the pandemic.

Judge Richard Evans asked Sadler what amount had been spent from the ARPA funds thus far. Sadler indicated that $850,00 had been withdrawn from the funds for Bandera County’s lost revenue.

Evans empathized these organizations should not wait for the Commissioners’ impending review and discussion of future plans for the ARPA fund, and that they really need the money now.

In a unanimous vote, the Commissioners voted to approve the funds to be granted to Silver Sage and Arthur Nagel Community Clinic.