Williamsport City Council approved awarding a contract to UHY Advisors for American Rescue Plan Act compliance and oversight.

The firm will work for $85,000 a year or $255,000 over three years offering a suite of services for the city as it looks to bounce back economically from the COVID 19 pandemic years.

“I am confident we are in good hands,” said Councilman Randall J. Allison.

The city has $25.4 million it needs to allocate on projects and programs that are ARPA eligible by the end of 2024 and spent by the end of 2026.

The firm will go over these allocations and help the city to meet compliance under federal law.

The city has a budget for the ARPA expenditures that the firm will review.

It also promises it will provide updates and be transparent with the public in the process.

Rescue Plan funds were approved by President Joe Biden and operated under guidance by the U.S. Treasury.

The firm was approved in a 6-0 vote with Councilwoman Bonnie Katz absent.