ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Belmont County leaders are exploring options for how best to use American Rescue Plan funding to redress losses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have already received one half of our portion, and I believe we’ll have the other half next year,” Belmont County Treasurer Kathy Kelich said.

The county created an account for the first half of the funding, totaling $6,507,565. The area’s needs and uses for the money are under consideration.

“I think everybody’s looking at it in a different manner. I think our commissioners are certainly taking their time deciding what to use that on, rather than jump out there and start spending,” she said.

Kelich said townships are unable to utilize the money, but they may have another option.

“As of right now, the townships might be able to file under metro cities,” she said. “They divided everything up into county, state, metro cities — there’s a division for everything.”

However, she stressed this is only a possibility.

“Just like when we had the COVID relief act money, the guidelines change every month. We usually have guidance from the Ohio Office of Budget Management,” she said, adding the agency updates local officials. “Townships may be eligible under metro cities.”

Commissioner J.P. Dutton said determinations will be made in the coming weeks and months.

“Because of the long lead time we have and the deadline to use the funds, which is the end of 2024, I think we’re looking at it and trying to take our time, talking to other county commissioners, seeing what the approach is across the state.”

Some infrastructure needs likely will be met.

“I think you’ll definitely see us utilize a portion of funding for water and sewer. That’s nearly a guarantee. We’ve had so many good projects taken right now,” Dutton said, adding there are myriad potential water and sewer projects the county could consider.

“There’s plenty of need. We’ll certainly use some of the funding for that purpose,” Dutton said.

However, there are limitations.

“The funds cannot be used for roadway infrastructure,” Dutton said, adding the uses are limited to areas such as water, sewer and broadband internet.

“It still has an impact, obviously, on our budget for the next few years,” he noted.

Regarding townships, Dutton said the state has received federal funding that could be available for townships.

“There are still some restrictions, but not many,” Commissioner Jerry Echemann said of that money.

He said along with road paving, hiring people is prohibited. Revenue replacement is permitted for counties that show loss of considerable money during the pandemic, but this is not a significant need in Belmont County.

“The financial situation of the county did not get real bad, or as bad as we thought it would under COVID. We didn’t have to furlough anybody. We didn’t have to lay anybody off. We didn’t have to close the courthouse,” Echemann said, adding there was some decline in sales tax, but not as much as feared.

“There’s no rush. The money is earning interest for the county in the meantime,” Echemann said. “The interest income, though, can be used for anything. There’s plenty of other things in terms of water and sewer that we can do. There’s so many aging lines and sewage pump stations that we wouldn’t have trouble finding things to spend it on.”