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Martin County approves $615,106 Coronavirus Relief Fund plan for COVID-19 response
Summary
On May 26, 2020 the Martin County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a Coronavirus Relief Fund spending plan allocating $615,106 to COVID-19 response priorities including PPE, personnel reimbursement, continuity-of-operations technology and telemedicine tablets; the county must submit a plan to the state by June 1, 2020.
The Martin County Board of Commissioners on May 26 unanimously approved a spending plan to allocate $615,106 the county received from the federal Coronavirus Relief Fund to expenses tied to the COVID-19 emergency.
County Manager David Bone outlined eligibility rules under the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and North Carolina Session Law 2020-4, saying the funds must be used for expenses incurred between March 1, 2020 and December 30, 2020 and may not be used for revenue replacement. Finance Director Cindy Ange confirmed Martin County’s allocation of $615,106 was received on May 26, 2020 and noted the county must submit a spending plan to the state by June 1, 2020.
The county’s draft plan, as presented by staff, focuses on four priorities: reimbursement for personal protective equipment and cleaning supplies; reimbursement for personnel costs related to the local COVID-19 response; technology to maintain continuity of operations (for example, laptops for critical personnel to telework); and tablets to support telemedicine between first responders and hospitals. Manager Bone also told the Board the plan could include strategies for sharing funds with municipalities but that the county would retain responsibility for proper use and could amend the plan after submission if necessary.
Board members asked staff to consider operational contingencies. Commissioner Ronnie Smith raised concerns about courthouse staffing once school resource officers return to their assigned schools and floated the possibility of hiring security guards to staff courthouse entrances. County staff also discussed preparations tied to hurricane-season sheltering and mobile testing resources.
Commissioner Elmo “Butch” Lilley moved to approve the CRF plan as presented; Vice Chairman Dempsey Bond Jr. seconded and the motion passed with Board approval. The county’s plan will be submitted to the state by the June 1 deadline; staff told the Board the plan may be amended later if needs change.
The Board’s action follows state guidance that allocated a base allocation and a population-based pro rata share to counties not receiving direct U.S. Treasury distributions; County Manager Bone summarized the federal and state guidance as the basis for the proposal.
