American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds

The City of Mountlake Terrace received $5.962 million in federal COVID recovery funds through the American Rescue Plan Act, known as ARPA. The funds need to be designated by the end of 2024 and used by the end of 2026. 

The City Council has been working diligently on this process for the past few years, with the priorities of meeting community needs, improving public services and boosting safety.

Here is the breakdown of expenditures so far. Amounts are rounded. 

2021-22: $589,000 Allocated ($382,000 returned for other uses)

• Utility bill assistance through a program coordinated by the Volunteers of America Western Washington. (A portion was re-allocated in July 2023 as the VOA program began to wrap up.)
• Matching a state grant for the recruitment and retention of childcare and other employees at the Recreation Pavilion.

2023-24 Budget: $775,000 Allocated

• Information Technology strategic planning
• Facilitator work for the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commission
• Community Services Officer staffing for the Police Department
• Economic Conditions and Market Analysis
• Partnership with Economic Alliance Snohomish County and the new Chamber of Commerce: Economic Alliance Snohomish County and the City of Mountlake Terrace announced a new partnership in March to provide Chamber of Commerce services for the business community of Mountlake Terrace. The partnership brings together the largest regional chamber and economic development organization in Snohomish County and the city to foster a business-friendly environment.
• Housing Action Plan: Mountlake Terrace needs housing options that meet the needs of the entire community. A Housing Action Plan will identify strategies and actions that promote housing diversity, affordability and access to opportunity for residents of all income levels.
• Continued grant matching funds (see Pavilion item above)
• Events Coordinator position
• Recreation scholarships

March 2023 Budget Amendment: $2.565 Million Allocated ($55,000 returned for other uses)

• Pavement preservation
• Emergency generators for city facilities
• Police body cameras
• Asphalt equipment
• Public Works radio system upgrades
• Safe Routes to Schools: Construction is anticipated to begin on improvements at the intersection of 216th Place SW & 48th Avenue W late this summer. Project funding includes a Safe Routes to School grant and ARPA funds. The pedestrian safety and traffic calming project will reconstruct the intersection, build missing sections of sidewalks, add curb bulbouts, construct ADA-compliant curb ramps for all crossings, and install pedestrian-activated beacons to help alert drivers when people are crossing 48th Ave W.
• Information technology updates

July 2023 Budget Amendment: $2.47 Million Allocated

• Match Verdant Health Commission grant for water safety and swimming programs
• Software and internet upgrades
• Workforce Development        
• Right-of-way maintenance
• Safety improvements: These funds will support upgrades to curb ramps and pedestrian crossings, making them more accessible. Key locations include Lakeview Drive near the Ballinger Park clubhouse, 66th Avenue W at 222nd Street SW, and 56th Avenue W just north of 222nd Street SW at the Evergreen Playfield Complex.
• Transportation Master Plan    
• Library roof and building needs         
• Veterans Memorial Park design work and grant matching
• Volunteers of America navigation center contribution
• Civic Campus Redevelopment           
• Police building needs

The re-allocations described above occurred as project costs were updated from early estimates. This concludes the city’s process of designating these funds.