Goliad County IT Seeks to Quickly Spend ARPA Funds

Goliad County, with a $779,239 IT budget in fiscal year 2024-25, is looking to obligate American Rescue Plan Act funds or face expiration of the COVID-era monies.

The county must obligate $408,000 of its funding for IT infrastructure improvements and security before Dec. 31 or lose them. County Auditor Leigh Lockwood stressed during the meeting that purchase orders, contracts or invoices must be in hand by the end of the year.

County Judge Mike Bennett expressed an intent to return an equal portion of the IT budget allocation to the general fund.

The current budget includes:

• $297,746 for major special projects
• $109,544 for technology infrastructure
• $10,000 for hardware refresh
• $5,000 for special projects
• $600 for county cyber training

Commissioners discussed the last-minute ARPA spend in its Nov. 12 meeting, broadcast via Facebook livestream.

The county has about 7,000 residents and 105 employees, according to Government Navigator*.

*Government Navigator is a product of e.Republic, the parent company of Industry Insider — Texas.