STEUBENVILLE — A lot of questions remain, but plans to use funding from the American Rescue Plan are underway in Jefferson County.

Following their regular meeting Thursday, the Jefferson County Commissioners held a public meeting to discuss the county’s allotment of the funding, more than $12 million, and the still evolving guidelines for how that money can be used.

Jefferson County Auditor EJ Conn, Mike Warren of the auditor’s office, Jefferson County Port Authority Executive Director Robert Naylor and port authority consultant Evan Scurti were present and involved in the discussions.

Conn told the commissioners he attended the Ohio County Auditors Association’s conference last week, where the topic was discussed with state level officials.

“There’s nothing new or earth shattering,” he said, noting the consensus is that the guidelines for the use of the funds are going to continue to change over time.

Conn said there currently are “interim final” guidelines that projects can be planned or started under, but the final set of guidelines are not expected until October or November.

Broadband and certain water and sewer projects were noted to be things allowable in the current guidelines, while other projects, like road repairs, have to meet criteria based on revenue loss from COVID-19.

It was noted that the county, Conn believes, will be able to set up grant programs for entities like businesses, non-profits and colleges, similar to the county’s small businesses grant program last year using the CARES Act funding.

Commissioner Thomas Graham expressed interest in establishing such programs with the ARP funding, too, prompting the discussion with Conn.

A topic that has come up several times is whether or not townships will receive funding from the ARP. Conn said the latest guidance is that the determination of townships will be up to the state.

Commissioner Dave Maple noted that there are sections of the Ohio Revised Code, which have been reviewed by the prosecutor’s office multiple times, that do not allow the county to give money to townships, though it was also mentioned that another county in the area is discussing doing just that.

In addition to being involved in discussions about broadband and water, Naylor also expressed concerns about the townships, noting that road maintenance is one of their primary functions and the current guidelines would make it hard for them to use the funds for that.

He told the board that the window for public comments to Congress and the treasury is open until July 16.

Graham, who represents the county with the County Commissioners Association of Ohio, said he is attending a CCAO meeting today and will take the concerns and questions discussed Thursday to that meeting for feedback from other counties.

Conn said a positive is the county has more time to use the funds than it did the CARES Act monies.

“One good thing is we have time to plan, time to use it,” he said.

The funds have to be allocated by the end of 2024 and projects using the funds must be completed by 2026, Conn and Warren noted.

The commissioners decided the best course of action is to come up with a list of categories the county can use the funds on, then make more in-depth plans from there.

“I feel that we need the chunk this money up based on what we feel the community needs are,” Maple said.

Commissioner Tony Morelli suggested that process include keeping a portion held back as a contingency.

Conn and his team would supply the commissioners with a list of categories they feel the funds can be used for, which the commissioners will then review and form their lists from for another discussion next week.