Letter to the Editor: American Rescue Plan Act

In reference to Consent items Q and R I want to commend and thank our county management team for its timely request of funding under the recently approved American Rescue Plan Act. The disastrous public health and economic impact Pinal County has experienced during the pandemic crisis underscores the importance of these newly available federal funds to mitigate the residual and ongoing damage to all public and private sectors of Pinal County.

In considering use of the Rescue Plan resources I encourage high priority be given to increasing our overall vaccination rate, thereby reducing Pinal County's COVID risk level.

It's especially encouraging to note funding is now available for each Board Member to selectively pursue funding for critically needed challenges of mental health and substance abuse, family child care, programs for senior Americans, emergency rental housing and affordable home ownership, restaurant and small business assistance, along with investments targeting transportation infrastructure and other community safety needs which impact our county's quality of life. The return on any of these investments will clearly be a more vibrant and healthy community with a robust rescued economy that ensures Pinal County continues to offer Wide Open Opportunity.

Again, thanks to County Manager Lew and his team and to the Board of Supervisors for your initiative in securing this badly needed early funding. And thanks also to Arizona's Senators Sinema and Kelly, and Members of Congress Gallego, Grijalva, Kirkpatrick, O'Halleran and Stanton who voted for this critical investment in our county, state and nation's recovery.

This statement was written and read at the Board of Supervisor's meeting on May 26, 2021 by Gold Canyon Resident, Roberto Reveles.