The Uvalde County Commissioners Court approves and designates over $945,000 dollars in Federal Relief funds to be distributed to many county service providers, non-profits and county employees.
February 14th, 2022
by: Michael Robinson
Many organizations serving Uvalde County during the Covid-19 pandemic including eligible county employees will soon be receiving portions of federal relief monies from Uvalde County during the Covid-19 pandemic. These monies are meant to provide relief from lost revenue caused by the outbreak.
The Uvalde County Commissioners Court met this morning and approved the following agenda item: to consider and act on the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds revenue loss declaration and expenditure of funds
“In March 2021, as these crises continued, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) [1] established the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) to provide state, local, and Tribal governments [2] with the resources needed to respond to the pandemic and its economic effects and to build a stronger, more equitable economy during the recovery.” reads a report from the Federal Register.
Pertaining to the issue of allocation of the Coronavirus (SLFRF) included a list of proposed county entities and amounts determined by committee members consisting of the Uvalde County Judge, Uvalde County Treasurer, Uvalde County Auditor and the Court Contract Grant Monitor. The list generated by this committee was submitted to the Uvalde Commissioners Court for consideration and action relating to the SLFRF funds for today’s meeting.
Of the list of eligible service entities operating within the counties, including many area volunteer fire departments and Uvalde EMS. Additionally, El Progreso Memorial Library, Sabinal and Utopia Libraries were approved to receive monies from the relief fund. Several area non-profits including Uvalde County Child Welfare, CASA, St. Henry de Osso, Uvalde Food Pantry, and Herby Ham Activity Center were included on the list of recipient organizations at respective amounts from the fund.
In her report to the court about the prescribed use of the recovery funds, Uvalde County Auditor Alice Chapman said. “ The court is not trying to hamstring organizations but to provide guidance.” County Judge Bill Mitchell said, “All organizations have to abide by the rules in advance.” referring to the rules and guidelines for use of the monies. Additionally. Organizations must not commingle monies with other monies of the respective organizations.
Uvalde County employees who meet the following guidelines will be eligible for recovery pay pertaining to the Coronavirus ( SLFRF): (1.) Employed as of December 31st, 2021; (2.) Actively employed as of March 15, 2022; (3.) Are not an elected official or the Uvalde County Auditor. Employees receiving the funds must report the additional income as per IRS responsibilities, stated Chapman.
According to Chapman, Checks will be cut and distributed March 15, 2022.
According to the US Department of Treasury website provides this information about the funds:: “The Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF), a part of the American Rescue Plan, delivers $350 billion to state, local, and Tribal governments across the country to support their response to and recovery from the COVID-19 public health emergency. The program ensures that governments have the resources needed to: • Fight the pandemic and support families and businesses struggling with its public health and economic impacts, • Maintain vital public services, even amid declines in revenue, and • Build a strong, resilient, and equitable recovery by making investments that support long-term growth and opportunity. “
