IRON MOUNTAIN — Dickinson County expects to receive up to $4.9 million in direct federal aid through the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act but continues to seek guidance on how the funds might be used.

With no dollars yet in hand, the county board didn’t mention the funding Monday. Some talks have started at the committee level.

The National Association of Counties is making recommendations to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on implementation of the Recovery Fund, particularly in regard to capital improvements. The legislation President Joe Biden signed into law March 11 includes $65.1 billion in direct aid to counties.

Controller Brian Bousley confirmed that half the allocation is due from the U.S. Treasury Department within 60 days and the remainder within a year. It’s anticipated local governments will have until 2024 to use the money.

It’s already known it can’t be used to pay pension debts, Bousley said. Identifying potential infrastructure and other uses may depend on what other restrictions are placed on the payments, he added.

Monday’s meeting was in the circuit courtroom of the courthouse. A Zoom link was offered, but no electronic participation occurred.

In other action, the board:

— Voiced concerns about a lack of market competition and potential monopoly issues that could threaten salt distribution in the Midwest. A letter will be sent to Michigan’s U.S. lawmakers seeking an investigation into potential antitrust elements of the planned sale of Morton Salt to Kissner Group. The board said the new merger “can cause budgetary nightmares for our road commissions and place motorists in grave danger.”

— Heard Iron Mountain Mayor Dale Alessandrini say he’s not in favor of shutting off several hundred faucets in Cemetery Park. Although the system is leaking badly, no decision has been made on how to proceed. Alessandrini told the board he took exception to Commissioner Barbara Kramer’s written comments in Saturday’s Daily News that claimed the city council and administration were putting “a low value” on the cemetery. “We take a lot of pride in that cemetery,” he said. City Manager Jordan Stanchina brought up the huge water consumption — 362,000 gallons in September alone last year — at the council’s March 15 meeting. Alessandrini described Kramer’s take on the council’s discussion as “jumping the gun” and “pretty much garbage.”

— Authorized buying a 2014 Dodge Ram truck from the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the amount of $2,500. The truck will be used by the courthouse, grounds and parks department.

— Approved appointing Missy Berger as Dickinson County Road Commission clerk.

— Approved filling a full-time clerk’s office vacancy as well as the circuit clerk reporter position.

— Allowed the scheduling of several events at Lake Antoine Park, including Lake Antoine Park Partners work bees May 15 and May 22, LAPP’s annual meeting June 26 and a LAAP Chamber of Commerce luncheon Aug. 5.