alachua county covid relief fund

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alachua county covid relief fund

The $46.9 million in relief funds comes from the federal governments CARES Act, but Alachua County will receive the funds in quarters, starting with $11.7 million to be used for the next six months. The fiscal year 2021 budget plan will be publicly discussed and amended by the board of county commissioners for the next two months, culminating in its adoption on Sept. 22. During a board of county commissioners special meeting Tuesday, Alachua County Manager Michele Lieberman unveiled disbursement plans for the countys COVID-19 relief funds and a tentative budget plan for the fiscal year 2021, which starts Oct. 1. 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. About $2.5 million is left over for any other eligible expenses. Medical expenses will receive $2 million initially, with $1.25 million reserved for the Alachua County Department of Healths contact tracing specialists, epidemiologists and other medical staff. If local news is important to you, consider becoming a digital subscriber to the Gainesville Sun. Update or Upgrade Your Sustaining Gift Today! Web crawl space door kit; Home alachua county covid relief fund crawl space creepers. The increased construction in the area has also allowed the county to generate more revenue via property taxes, Sexton said. The Act provided more than $2 trillion in funding for programs including, but not limited to, education, health and human services, labor, housing and agriculture. Nearly $7 million of pandemic relief money will be distributed to dozens of local nonprofits, the Gainesville City Commission unanimously agreed on Thursday. The county commissioners are breaking down the funds into six different categories ranging from individual assistance to business relief grants - with $21 million reserved for individuals on a first come, first serve basis. This would ultimately result in a difference of $504,226 in comparison to the funds projected revenue for this fiscal year. Coronavirus Relief Fund The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act was signed into law on March 27, 2020. In response to the economic downturn, she recommended roll back rates for the countys general tax fund and the Municipal Services Taxing Units law enforcement fund. Alachua County Public Schools on Tuesday announced its efforts to bridge the digital divide with money from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which couldpotentially provide enough funding to give thousands of students take-home laptops with built-in internet connections or hotspots. Denials are usually due to lack of documentation that an economic hardship was caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Among those who got the most money and maximum allowed are theNeighborhood Housing andDevelopment Corporation'saffordable housing program and Alachua County Coalition for the Homeless and Hungrys support for Grace Marketplace, each receiving $750,000. 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. HHS has allocated $170.9 billion of the total $178 billion authorized by Congress for this Fund as of September 2021, including $14.8 billion used to support vaccine development and distribution.. County Manager Michele Lieberman said the money will help the local health department add 38 additional employees to assist in the pandemic response. $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. After the first round of applications are reviewed, it could take up to two weeks until the funding is distributed. Sit down restaurants, entertainment venues, etc. Alachua requested about $200,000 and has received about $35,000. 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. Equestrian show jumper from Central Florida dies during a competition. So far 3,450 have been accepted and 2,830 denied. Alachua County posts Cares Act Grant application link, Application is now live for the Alachua County Cares Act Grant, Rent, mortgage, utility, internet, phone and car payment assistance, Daycare assistance for school-aged children, if school attendance is limited, Documented issue related to COVID-19 (i.e. This is the overwhelming funding, going into this category, said Lieberman. County residents can now click HERE to apply for the grant. But I would say that anybody who falls in that (COVID hardship) category could be eligible.. The commission agreed to schedule a special meeting in the future to delve into those details and focus its discussion on how the city willspend the American Rescue Plan Act dollars. For my senior honors project, I decided to highlight this piece of local history and celebrate this underappreciated instrument. 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. 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. About $15 million is dedicated to small- and medium-sized business relief. The vast majority of the funding $36.1 million will be reserved for relief grants to individuals and businesses. In response to the economic downturn, she recommended roll back rates for the countys general tax fund and the Municipal Services Taxing Units law enforcement fund. It's hard to stay on top of it all but Health News Florida can help. 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. The money set aside made up nearly a quarter of the $32 million Gainesville received from theAmerican Rescue Plan Act. 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. TOTAL AMOUNT DISBURSED: $1,387,493,832.96 out of $5,855,807,379.80. "It was a priority of this commission thatmoney be distributed directly to our local nonprofit agencies because A:they have a relationship and proven track record with serving folks in the community that needs it most and B:they can do things the city simply can not," Poe said. 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. 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. School Board gets aid, but crowding, HyFlex teaching remain sore spots, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. $2.5 million for any other COVID-19-related eligible expenses reasonably necessary to the function of government. By, New COVID variant of interest comes to Florida with a common allergy symptom: pinkeye, Abortion clinics urge Florida Supreme Court to maintain privacy clause protection, Quiet and parents' touch help the newborns of opioid users, a study shows. 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. In Alachua County, there were 0 newly reported COVID-19 cases and 0 newly reported COVID-19 deaths on Apr 17, 2023. According to Lieberman, the funds will be shifted and reallocated to different programs and municipalities depending on need. The crawl space scooter is built with 1/4 high grade. 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. Florida has seen similar budget increases this year. Alachua County Reveals Future COVID-19 Relief And Budget Plans, WUFT 89.1 / 90.1 Featured Thank you Gifts. The most reliable way I think we have to get the money to the people who are in the greatest need is not via the filter of a business its through an individuals ability to demonstrate, I havent been able to pay my rent in three months, because I lost my job on March 17, he said. Gainesville's COVID relief to help residents pay utility bills and fight eviction . The Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) program authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act, delivers $350 billion to state, territorial, local, and Tribal governments across the country to support their response to and recovery from the COVID-19 public health emergency. The countys revenue from both gas sales and the bed tax, a tax hotels and temporary lodgings charge travelers, was significantly reduced at the end of the 2020 fiscal year and beginning of the 2021 fiscal year, said Tommy Crosby, Assistant County Manager. Lieberman also unveiled the countys tentative budget plan for the fiscal year 2021, which was significantly influenced by the economic fallout of COVID-19. But most commissioners support utility debt forgiveness, with the following recommended expenditures: Gail Johnson, $1 million; Hayes-Santos, $3 million,Poe, $2 million; Saco $1 million;David Arreola, $750,000; and Ward, $1million. We are hopeful that we have seen the worst of the pandemic, Lieberman said. A little over $3 million will be used for facilitating compliance with county health measures. For the law enforcement fund, the millage rate would reduce from 3.7240 mills to 3.5678 mills. GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) - Alachua County is now under a declared state of emergency due to COVID-19. So Im considered as a holdover tenant.. But which customers may or may not qualify for the utility financial assistance is still a question mark, officials said. According to Lieberman, these initial funds must be spent before the county can receive the next set of funds. Other initiatives in the budget plan included raising the minimum wage for county workers from $14 to $14.50 an hour, continued construction of a county agricultural and equestrian center and development of new county infrastructure, such as an administration building to consolidate much of the countys downtown operations in a single location.. WUSF is reporting on how distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine exposes inequities in Floridas health care system. May 1The Community Foundation of Frederick County is accepting online applications for music instruction scholarships through May 31. About $2.3 million total is expected to be allocated to some 22 local nonprofits. 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. In order to be eligible for the additional funds, it must use up this portion first. Nora is a reporter for WUFT News who can be reached by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news@wuft.org. Here is a breakdown from the County on where the funds will be going: 1. The $46.9 million in relief funds comes from the federal governments CARES Act, but Alachua County will receive the funds in quarters, starting with $11.7 million to be used for the next six months. This is the overwhelming funding, going into this category, said Lieberman. 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. Public health expenses include an initial $2 million in funding for purchasing protective equipment for health workers and disinfecting public facilities (including nursing homes). 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. Alachua Board of County Commissioners / The Florida Channel The Alachua County Commission met via zoom Tuesday. People who are past due on their utility bills will get financial assistance to help getthem caught up through a federal program to help communities recover from COVID-19. 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. Despite the pandemic, a rise in Alachua County unemployment and a slow year for the local tourism industry, the Alachua County Managers proposed budget for the 2022 fiscal year showed an increase in revenue and spending. That could include families that dont have enough technology resources for all the students in their household., Biden signs $1.9 trillion COVID relief bill, Marking a year of loss and disruption, President Joe Biden on Thursday signed into law the $1.9 trillion relief package that he says will help the U.S. defeat the coronavirus and nurse the economy back to health. About $2.7 million went to small businesses, $6.3 million went to government agencies, about $2.7 million went to nonprofit organizations conducting COVID-19 aid and about $11 million went to the countys COVID-19 relief efforts. 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. Shuping said that makessense because, similarly to the individual applications, a greater number of businesses are located within Gainesville city limits than elsewhere in the county. A mill is $1 out of every $1,000 of a propertys taxable value, and in Liebermans recommendation, the county would collect fewer mills for the two funds mentioned. Invent possible program. Earlier CARES Act coverage: School Board gets aid, but crowding, HyFlex teaching remain sore spots. 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. 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. Support COVID-19 fundraisers; Crisis Relief; Learn more. Commissioners received an update on its Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security, or CARES, Act funding at a special meeting Tuesday, where facilitators broke down how many applications for aid have been processed and howmany are pending. If not expended by October 30, 2020, this amount shall be redistributed to other categories. 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,. The Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) Program was approved by Congress as part of the rescue plan passed in 2021. Through a survey, commissioners have expressed very different views about how the American Rescue Plan dollars coming to the city should be spent. 10/Friday, January 15, 2021/Notices 1 As noted previously on Treasury's website, on June 30, 2020, the guidance provided under ''Costs incurred during the period that begins on March 1, 2020, and ends on December 30, 2020'' was I will make sure we are maxing out money to individuals even before giving it to businesses, he said. Alachua County is on track to provide more than $39 million to local residents, businesses and organizations in need of coronavirus aid by the end of the year. Nearly $21 million was given directly to citizens who had COVID-19-specific impacts, Sexton said. $800,000 maintaining the county jail, including as relates to sanitation and improvement of social distancing measures, to enable compliance with COVID-19 public health precautions. The 2022 fiscal year runs from Oct. 1, 2021, to Sep. 30, 2022. This pages tracks the history of coronavirus cases in Alachua County, both recent and all-time. Our department manages the financial responsibilities for the State of Florida. Going Beyond Assistance Fund - A 501(c)(3) nonprofit formed by HCSG to serve as a charitable employer-sponsored disaster relief organization to provide emergency, hardship, and disaster assistance . Mayor Lauren Poe on Thursday thanked Congress and President Joe Biden for taking an "unprecedented step" of providingthe funding directly to cities across the country. 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. To keep up with the latest local news subscribe to our TV20 newsletterHEREand receive news straight to your email every morning.

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alachua county covid relief fund

alachua county covid relief fund

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