What to do?

The Everly City Council remains at an impasse about how to spend federal pandemic relief dollars.

Members on Monday once again mulled how to use funds distributed to the city by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which was passed by Congress last year to provide $1.9 trillion in economic stimulus to help offset pandemic-related losses. Everly received two payments totaling $81,963, according to previous discussion.

The money must be spent by December 2024; however, it comes with strict stipulations. Right now, the council is having a hard time finding an adequate use for it since pandemic-related losses were low in Everly. Members had hoped to use it on employee wages, but ultimately decided that would not qualify.

The council previously debated using the money on everything from streets and sewer improvements to cement work and the water tower’s new paint job. Eventually, the issue was tabled for further discussion once again. City Clerk Kristi Fliss will investigate using the money to replace the emergency siren on the east side of town.

In other business, the council approved a 5 percent wage increase for all city employees with the exception of custodian Jellie Hildreth, who will see a hike from $16.67 an hour to $20 an hour.

The council agreed that the increase was fair, especially considering the recent spike in inflation.

“I think every one of our employees deserves it,” said Council Member Tara Patrick. “They’ve done a phenomenal job.”