Now, how to spend it?
Fort Collins leaders are pursuing a 15/85 model for the American Rescue Plan money, which will total about $28.12 million. That will mean 15% (about $4.2 million) going to address immediate needs, in a staff-directed process similar to how the city spent CARES Act money in 2020. The other 85% (about $23.9 million) will go toward a longer-term Fort Collins Recovery Plan that is being developed now and will involve more community input.
Fort Collins City Council and city staff discussed the funding at a Tuesday work session.
We’ll know more about the short-term funding this summer, as the city plans to start distributing it as soon as July. As for the rest of the funding, staff is working to develop the recovery plan now and will present it to council and the community this fall. The city will seek public input throughout that process.