BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — Following the swearing-in Thursday of Inez Commissioners Jennifer Wells, Nita Collier, Roy Penix and Phyllis Conrad by Martin County/Judge Executive Lon Lafferty, the City of Inez took steps to ensure its share of federal relief money does not slip away.
Mayor Ed Daniels announced that the city’s remaining $27,095 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds would be transferred to the general fund, preempting the possibility of having to return the money to the government.
“We can use it for payroll for the first two years of COVID,” Daniels explained.
He pointed toward the whiteboard where he mapped out ARPA funding commitments during last month’s meeting — $16,000 for four local festivals.
“We’re still going to stand by our commitments,” Daniels said. “If that’s understood.”
Commissioner Phyllis Conrad approved.
“Oh yeah, we want to do that,” she said.
Beyond the festivals, the city’s ARPA blueprint for the remaining funds includes $1,832 to the Martin County All-Sports Hall of Fame for a commemorative marker honoring the former Inez High School and $2,589 for three new “Welcome to Inez” signs. On Thursday, City clerk Lisa Mollett noted the mayor had added a $2,000 donation to the Sleigh Cancer fundraiser that launched in 2024. It supports cancer research at Ohio State University’s Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital.
The Commission, which received $99,000 total in ARPA funds, approved a resolution setting out the allocations. This decision relieves Inez of the pressures that jurisdictions face to “obligate” ARPA funds by Dec. 31 or send them back.
The ARPA spending window stretches until Dec. 31, 2026.
Community in focus
The Commission also discussed donating funds generated by alcohol beverage taxes to Martin County High School’s Project Graduation. Mayor Daniels and Commissioner Jennifer Wells also shared updates on conversations with school officials about alcohol education programs.
Commissioner Roy Penix delivered his monthly street report. He noted that the city’s street worker had been handling routine maintenance tasks and assisting with decorating for Christmas in the Mountains.
Funding a marquee
Mollett updated the Commission on her efforts to get a $36,000 T-Mobile grant to fund a new marquee sign for the city. The city reviewed estimates for the sign last month.
“I asked for $36,000 because that should cover it all,” Mollett said. “There are no matching funds.”
Mollett secured letters of support from Martin County Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty and Big Sandy Area Development District Director Eric Ratliff. She is working on additional endorsements from Eric Mills, director of the county health department; Carolea Mills, deputy judge/executive; and Nick Endicott, 911 director.
Wells suggested casting the net further to include the cooperative extension office.