County hiring consultant to help navigate new federal funds

Bartholomew County will be hiring an outside advisor to help it spend the local share of federal funds from the most recent COVID relief bill.

The County Commissioners on Monday approved a contract not to exceed $25 thousand dollars with Baker Tilly, a Chicago based accounting and consulting company with Indianapolis offices. The money would be spent on an hourly basis over the course of the two years the funds are being made available.

County Attorney Grant Tucker said the county will be getting more than $16 million dollars through the American Recovery Plan. But the funds come with requirements and restrictions, limiting their use to specified purposes and banning them from being used for other purposes. The danger is that the county could misinterpret the rules, and have to pay back a large chunk of money.

Auditor Pia O’Connor said that she was able to handle the previous CARES act funds within her office. But this is a much larger pool of money and much more specific on its uses.

Commissioner Tony London said the consultants would also use their expertise to help the county find more money.