This is the overwhelming funding, going into this category, said Lieberman. Alachua County will disburse $46.9 million in CARES Act funds for COVID-19 relief, and according to a new budget plan, property taxes in the county could soon be lowered, too. In the meantime, Mayor Lauren Poe said Tuesday that this potential first round of financial utility assistance is already approved, and he urged people who have struggled to pay their utility bills due to the pandemic to contact Gainesville Regional Utilities about possibly getting assistance. Saturday , April 22 2023 WUFT TV/FM This includes $800,000 for sanitation and health improvements in the county jail, $500,000 for staff to enforce public ordinances, $500,000 for the homeless populations housing and medical needs and $500,000 for food delivery programs. The CARES Act established the $150 billion Coronavirus Relief Fund. For the law enforcement fund, the millage rate would reduce from 3.7240 mills to 3.5678 mills. If not expended by October 30, 2020, this amount shall be redistributed to other categories. The state. County spokesman Mark Sexton said Newberry remains ineligible to receive CARES funds because it was not in compliance with the county's emergency ordinances related to COVID-19. The funds would go to Three Rivers Legal Services, a nonprofit legal firm the cityalready has under contract. Here is a breakdown from the County on where the funds will be going: 1. King said her landlord is not accepting the funds. Rental assistance program funds are expected to run out in April. Residents and business owners who fell behind on expenses or lost significant income due to required closure may be eligible to receive up to $5,000 in COVID-19 relief money. The city of Gainesville is expected to receive more than $33.9 million in federal funds under the American Rescue Plan Act, with the first expenditures having been approved by the City Commission. However, these rates are merely the county managers recommendation; the county commission is tasked with setting the tentative millage rates during its July 14 meeting. It is clear to me that building and nurturing strong partnerships within our community is a commission priority, Lieberman said. This second iteration of relief money follows the roughly $14 billion allocated to colleges in spring 2020 in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, known as the CARES Act,. County staff will report back to the commission at its July 14 meeting with progress on the funds and code enforcement for its mandatory mask policy. Most municipalities also signed a subrecipient agreement with the county to receive their own aid money. A total of $21.1 million is set aside for individual and household assistance. About $15 million is dedicated to small- and medium-sized business relief. The county will receive $52 million in aid, and is in the process of planning how it will be spent. Though nervous about pain from the shot,. Coverage of the coronavirus pandemic on Health News Florida. Pennsylvania and its counties received approximately $1.3 billion total from both laws, to administer assistance to renters who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and economic insecurity. The county also received $17 million from the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, Sexton said. The longer we waitto get money in the hands of people, the worse those folks' situations will be, she said. The county will hire a third-party consultant, Carr, Riggs & Ingram LLC, to assist the county in managing and tracking fund disbursements. Countys running out of funds doesnt mean the program is over, said April Shuping with Carr, Riggs & Ingram CPA firm. $249,384,820 GEER funds may be used by the Governor of Florida in support of public elementary and secondary education, institutions of higher education (IHEs), or other education-related entities. This would ultimately result in a difference of $504,226 in comparison to the funds projected revenue for this fiscal year. Should the proposal be adopted, funds will go toward projects such as developing a new administration building, providing affordable housing and land conservation. News / dec 4, 2019 / 01:45 pm est. News about coronavirus in Florida and around the world is constantly emerging. The state passed a $101.5 billion state budget in April, a nearly $10 billion increase in spending from the last fiscal year. Copyright 2020 WCJB. 200 East Gaines Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399, Copyright 2023 Florida Department of Financial Services. And that priority is reflected in this budget.. This is the category that really belongs to the citizens.. Shuping said the remaining $7.6 million or so will likely be allocated for public safety, such as overtime paid to sheriffs deputies. The increased construction in the area has also allowed the county to generate more revenue via property taxes, Sexton said. So I was $15,000 behind so ERAP really helped me out, said Alachua County resident, June King. After the first round of applications are reviewed, it could take up to two weeks until the funding is distributed. However, only the first $2,500 will be guaranteed; the remaining aid that people apply for will be disbursed as it becomes available as funds are reevaluated and reallocated. The scholarships are funded by The Sperry L. Storm Memorial Scholarship Fund and The Guss Family Scholarship Fund for the Arts, two of more than 770 component funds of The Community Foundation of Frederick County. County Manager Michele Lieberman said the money will help the local health department add 38 additional employees to assist in the pandemic response. Florida LGBTQ+ lawmaker to GOP: Im literally trying to exist, Eighth Circuit Court Judge Sean Brewer sworn in at investiture ceremony, Gainesville city commissioners seek clarity about Ironwood Golf Course finances, Gainesville City Commission votes to partially restore Boltin Center, Clinics Say Privacy Clause Protects Abortion Rights, Six former Florida Gators selected during NFL Draft, Hurricane Preparedness Week begins in Florida, The Point, May 1, 2023: Lawmakers approve change to resign-to-run law. Most municipalities also signed a subrecipient agreement with the county to receive their own aid money. billion: $5.86 billion was deposited into the State Treasury as General Revenue and approximately $2.47 billion was allocated to 12 of the largest counties directly by the U.S. Treasury. GRUdid not have readily available the exact dollar figureof what is owed by only those city customers who had requested COVID hardship relief in the past, Warm said in a text message on Tuesday. Trackingmagnitude. Web diy insulated grill jacket. Lieberman also proposed lowering the property tax millage rate, the countys largest revenue source, from 7.8935 to 7.8662. https://www.wuft.org/news/files/2020/07/budget-audio-narration.mp3, Florida LGBTQ+ lawmaker to GOP: Im literally trying to exist, Eighth Circuit Court Judge Sean Brewer sworn in at investiture ceremony, Gainesville city commissioners seek clarity about Ironwood Golf Course finances, Gainesville City Commission votes to partially restore Boltin Center, Clinics Say Privacy Clause Protects Abortion Rights, Six former Florida Gators selected during NFL Draft, Hurricane Preparedness Week begins in Florida, The Point, May 1, 2023: Lawmakers approve change to resign-to-run law. Sign up for our daily or breaking newsletters, becoming a digital subscriber to the Gainesville Sun, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Small retail, salons, non-essential businesses, daycares, etc. Tenants have to be at or below 80% of the average median income for Alachua County which is at $39,000 yearly for one person. The school district is set to use about $6 million for the upcoming year,said district spokeswoman Jackie Johnson, who added subsequent efforts in Congress could help pay for continued access in the following years. However, only the first $2,500 will be guaranteed; the remaining aid that people apply for will be disbursed as it becomes available as funds are reevaluated and reallocated. use federal COVID-19 relief dollars to cover any funding losses from the state . The commission did not discussdetails of who would be eligible for the utility assistance, such as anyone who is simply past due on their utilitybills or only those who have asked for a COVID hardship payment plan in the past who still owe money. Other local government agencies that requested aid include the health department, which has requested $1.85 million that has not yet been dispersed; the school board, which has received $750,000 out of the $2.05 million requested and the sheriffs office, which has received nearly $200,000. A little over $3 million will be used for facilitating compliance with county health measures. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act was signed into law on March 27, 2020. Gainesville has requested $2.9 million and has so far received about $749,000. The budget proposal comes at a time where many are worried local economies are suffering from the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. He wanted to see how the city could better supporta community ID program that was left off the list, as well as fund Gainesville for All's planned family learning center. For the countys general fund, which provides resources for most county departments and constitutional offices, the millage rate would be reduced from 8.2729 mills about $8.28 collected by the county for every $1,000 that a property is a worth to 7.8961 mills, or about $7.90 collected. How GoFundMe Works; Why . Source: www.ridgidforum.com. Click here to subscribe to our newsletter. Id like to see this expedited because that flood of evictions is going to hit us any day, she said. All rights reserved. Archer also requested $58,000, Hawthorne $21,600 and Waldo $14,400. For example, only three commissioners indicated support for spending the money on improving broadband capacity in areas where internet service is poor, with commissioners recommending the following expenditures: Adrian Hayes-Santos, $15 million;Reina Saco, $13 million;and Harvey Ward,$900,000. This would mark the fifth consecutive year the county has reduced the millage rate. This includes $800,000 for sanitation and health improvements in the county jail, $500,000 for staff to enforce public ordinances, $500,000 for the homeless populations housing and medical needs and $500,000 for food delivery programs. The relief plans remaining money will be allocated to things like medical expenses, public health expenses, and actions to facilitate compliance with COVID-19-related measures. Lieberman also proposes raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour for county employees. School Board gets aid, but crowding, HyFlex teaching remain sore spots, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Source: www.diychatroom.com. Businesses must be able to show documented loss of profit due to required closure or efforts to rehire furloughed or laid-off workers. The second round of ERAP funds is 65% used so far; with a total of $8 million. Commissioner Mike Byerly spurred the efforts to bump up the dollar limit for which people could apply. According to Lieberman, the funds will be shifted and reallocated to different programs and municipalities depending on need. All rights reserved. New applications for the program close in about a week. on March 23. Jim Harriot, deputy county manager for public works and growth management, said the county is already looking into the costs of adding ionization technology in the HVAC system, which has been used elsewhere to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Commissioners decided inpiduals will be able to apply for up to $5,000 (per household), a jump up from the plans initial proposal of $2,500. Pandemic funds: 37 local nonprofits would receive federal pandemic grants under recommendation, Housing: As pandemic subsides, Alachua County's workforce is back but employers still staffing up, Development rejection: Alachua County Planning Commission votes down proposed development at West End Golf Club. Coronavirus Relief Fund Through the Coronavirus Relief Fund, the CARES Act provides for payments to State, Local, and Tribal governments navigating the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak. This would ultimately result in a difference of about $2,072,541 for this particular fund in comparison to its projected revenue from fiscal year 2020. Also included in the plan is $2 million for medical expenses such as costs to the Florida Department of Health in Alachua County for testing, contact tracing and case management. The deadline to complete the survey is May 13 with the hope that devices will be ready for distribution by the start of next school year. The community level of Covid-19 in Alachua County is low based on cases and hospitalizations, according to the most recent update from the C.D.C. We would like to continue funding the monthly payments until the funding is exhausted for those who are in the program today and we think thats coming up soon. February 2023 The federal government has providedthe COVID-19 pandemic. Example: Modification to Air Handling System, and inmates per pod / cell. Earlier CARES Act coverage: School Board gets aid, but crowding, HyFlex teaching remain sore spots. COVID19 Economic Relief Assistance for Small Businesses Assistance for Small Businesses The COVID-19 public health crisis and resulting economic crisis have created a variety of challenges for small, micro, and solo businesses in communities across the country. Students in kindergarten through 11th grade . If local news is important to you, consider becoming a digital subscriber to the Gainesville Sun. These include maintaining the county jail, along with caring for the isolation and medical needs of the homeless population. In total, 178,738 people have been vaccinated, that makes up 69% of the eligible. Documented lost profit from required closure, Documented employees (non-owner/family) remaining on payroll while on required closure. What's behind the shortages of Adderall, Ozempic and other meds? Alachua Board of County Commissioners / The Florida Channel The Alachua County Commission met via zoom Tuesday. City helps nonprofits: Gainesville officials approve $7 million in pandemic relief to dozens of local nonprofits, County survey: Alachua County seeks community help to bridge digital divide by taking internet speed test, Textbook ban: School board approves 4 of 11 math textbooks after DeSantis' crackdown on critical race theory. If a business received other federal aid, it may impact their ability to receive the countys CARES Act funds. Coronavirus Relief Fund Through the Coronavirus Relief Fund, the CARES Act provides for payments to State, Local, and Tribal governments navigating the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak. Public health expenses include an initial $2 million in funding for purchasing protective equipment for health workers and disinfecting public facilities (including nursing homes). Last year Alachua County managed to complete various community projects amid the pandemic including the Alachua County Agriculture & Equestrian Center in Newberry, the UF/IFAS Extension building and Cuscowilla Nature Park and Retreat. Its been interesting because early on when we started projecting what the effect of a global pandemic was going to be, there was a great deal of doom and gloom, Sexton said, But the states budget this year was actually the largest budget theyve ever passed.. Required by law to present a balanced budget, County Manager Michelle Liebermans budget proposal shows a budget increase of nearly $78 million for the 2022 fiscal year, including a $25 million increase in the general fund. According to Lieberman, the funds will be shifted and reallocated to different programs and municipalities depending on need. Support COVID-19 fundraisers; Crisis Relief; Learn more. Our department manages the financial responsibilities for the State of Florida. Of this amount, the State of Florida was allocated $8.4 $500,000 local share of FEMA expenses for county, municipalities, and constitutional officer non-payroll expenses responding to COVID-19. The funds, however, were not intended to actas a stop-gap forstruggling organizations or programs prior to the pandemic, nor help organizations move funding around to pay for other aspects of theiroperation. Im just getting back into nursing, just getting back on my feet. Others expressed frustration with the smaller $20,000 and $10,000 grants received. Last Thursday, the commission agreed to spend up to $250,000 for COVID utility assistance and $500,000 for legal help to prevent people from being evicted. The countys property appraiser is estimating a 6% increase in property values this year, Sexton said. According to Lieberman, these initial funds must be spent before the county can receive the next set of funds. Thomas is a reporter for WUFT News who can be reached by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news@wuft.org. County officials also plan to work with local utility companies to come up with a designated amount of utility assistance for customers who have been unable to keep up with payments. "There was a focus on human services, per federal guidelines, with the greatest impact for those communities of city residents disproportionallyaffected by the pandemic," said Barzella Papa, director of the community foundation. The United States Department of Treasury directly allocated the funds to states, and Florida received $1.2 billion to allocate to counties based on population. Greater Duval Neighborhood Association Corp.'s "Continued COVID . Another $3.3 million will be used for compliance with public health-related measures. I will make sure we are maxing out money to individuals even before giving it to businesses, he said. Update or Upgrade Your Sustaining Gift Today! Copyright 2022 WCJB. "So I was $15,000 behind so ERAP really helped me out," said Alachua County resident, June King. The vast majority of the funding $36.1 million will be reserved for relief grants to individuals and businesses. The deadline for applications from individuals and businesses was Nov. 15 and funding must be used to cover finances lost due to the pandemic between March 1 and Dec. 30, 2020. For the countys general fund, which provides resources for most county departments and constitutional offices, the millage rate would be reduced from 8.2729 mills about $8.28 collected by the county for every $1,000 that a property is a worth to 7.8961 mills, or about $7.90 collected. Commissioners decided individuals will be able to apply for up to $5,000 (per household), a jump up from the plans initial proposal of $2,500. Listen below: Alachua County Manager Michele Lieberman outlined CARES Act distribution during Tuesdays first special meeting, and then introduced the countys fiscal year 2021 tentative budget during the second meeting. This roll back would include millage reductions, or reductions in property tax rates. Invent possible program. An increase in property values means an increase in property taxes, which are the main revenue source for the county, contributing about $130 million to the $564 million budget. Alachua County will receive 25%. Vaccination rates continue to rise. $750,000 allocated to other medical expenses to include, but not be limited to: Expansion of testing sites and capabilities, Example: Tents with climate mitigation, testing kits, additional sites, Example: Decontamination units, overtime due to quarantine issues, drug costs, $1 million for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and medical supplies for public health and safety workers, Example: Masks, face shields, gowns, and similar items, $250,000 for disinfecting of public areas and facilities such as nursing homes, Example: Aerosol units, spray systems, and disinfecting products, $250,000 for quarantining health care and public safety officers, Example: First responders, law enforcement officers, and health personnel, $250,000 for preparing public buildings to serve customers. At the moment, we have cash on hand to get us through June.". A Governor has wide discretion in determining the entities in the State that will receive GEER funds. Micanopy chose not to participate in the program, he said. This website tracks only actual disbursements of the $5.86 billion deposited into the Florida Treasury. Eligibility is reserved for residents who were furloughed or laid off, or those who need help making rent, utilities, internet, phone, or car payments from March 1 until now. The vast majority of the funding $36.1 million will be reserved for relief grants to inpiduals and businesses. All rights reserved. The remaining $4.36 billion will be used by the State to cover COVID 19-related costs. Alachua County Reveals Future COVID-19 Relief And Budget Plans By Thomas Weber July 8, 2020 Coronavirus, Government and politics Alachua County will disburse $46.9 million in CARES Act. for the 2022 fiscal year showed an increase in revenue and spending. At the House level, the bill passed 220-211, with every Republican and one Democrat voting against itbefore being signed into law by President Joe Biden. a $101.5 billion state budget in April, a nearly $10 billion increase in spending from the last fiscal year.
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