Coverage of the coronavirus pandemic on Health News Florida. She said the $500,000 could be used for rent money that the courts requirebe placed in escrow in eviction cases before a judge will even hear the cases. About $15 million is dedicated to small- and medium-sized business relief. Alachua County will receive 25%. Trackingmagnitude. Award amounts will depend on the needs and size of the business. But not everyone got in on the pot of funds. 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 order to be eligible for the additional funds, it must use up this portion first. 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,. But which customers may or may not qualify for the utility financial assistance is still a question mark, officials said. The remaining $4.36 billion will be used by the State to cover COVID 19-related costs. Thank goodness we have the ERAP money there, said County Commissioner, Mary Alford. Get the answers here, with data on cases and infection rates. Alachua County, Florida Covid Case and Risk Tracker 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. For the law enforcement fund, the millage rate would reduce from 3.7240 mills to 3.5678 mills. Through a survey, commissioners have expressed very different views about how the American Rescue Plan dollars coming to the city should be spent. The survey also can be completed online at www.sbac.edu/techsurvey,and also willbe available via text and email. on March 23. Example: Social distancing markers, signage, modifying counter areas, etc. This is the overwhelming funding, going into this category, said Lieberman. 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. That totals about $39.3 million, though the county was approved for $46.9 million for the federal program. All rights reserved. Invent possible program. 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. Up to $15,000 total 4. 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. Even though the county has been able to increase its, WUFT 89.1 / 90.1 Featured Thank you Gifts. Or, businesses of 50 employees or less can receive up to $10,000 through a back-to-work grant with documented efforts to reemploy furloughed or laid-off workers. Small retail, salons, non-essential businesses, daycares, etc. Alachua County Emergency Rental Assistance pay millions in rent - WCJB Commissioner Saco said she expects a flood of upcoming local evictions in the coming weeks after a federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ban on rental evictions expired last month. 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. Stephanie Bailes, CEO and executive director of the Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention, appearedemotional before emphatically stating all the work Cade employees do in the community, including providing 900 community memberships, free classes at local YMCA locationsand hosting graduation for PACE Center for Girls. $7.5 million for Small Business Relief Grants 25 employees and less, 3. Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds 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. New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency 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 Gainesville City Commission unanimously voted Thursday to spend $5.6 million on a partial restoration . 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 ERA2 program was authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and provides $21.55 billion to assist eligible households with financial assistance, provide housing stability services, and as applicable, to cover the costs for other affordable rental housing and eviction prevention activities. 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. The county is responsible for ensuring that the CARES Act funds are used for necessary expenditures incurred due to COVID-19. 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. 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. Here is a breakdown from the County on where the funds will be going: 1. Nearly $21 million was given directly to citizens who had COVID-19-specific impacts, Sexton said. Certified Dietary Manager - LinkedIn After the first round of applications are reviewed, it could take up to two weeks until the funding is distributed. But Alachua County has managed to make up for some of its pandemic-related losses. $7.5 million for Medium Business relief grants more than 25 to 50 employees, 7. 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. Alachua County Budget Increasing By Nearly $78 Million, Despite the pandemic, a rise in Alachua County. All rights reserved. COVID-19 Community Resource Portal This Portal is a partnership of local governments, first responders, educational institutions, hospitals, nonprofits, and many others. The county will receive $52 million in aid, and is in the process of planning how it will be spent. So Im considered as a holdover tenant.. Alachua County Budget Increasing By Nearly $78 Million Businesses must be able to show documented loss of profit due to required closure or efforts to rehire furloughed or laid-off workers. This is a start where we can immediately start working with those folks to get relief from those back payments and kind of get them current, he said. 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 In total, 178,738 people have been vaccinated, that makes up 69% of the eligible. Florida has seen similar budget increases this year. This is the overwhelming funding, going into this category, said Lieberman. The state. Florida has seen similar budget increases this year. How GoFundMe Works; Why . Equestrian show jumper from Central Florida dies during a competition. The vast majority of the funding $36.1 million will be reserved for relief grants to individuals and businesses. 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. Gainesville to use American Rescue Plan dollars for utility bills Public health expenses include an initial $2 million in funding for purchasing protective equipment for health workers and disinfecting public facilities (including nursing homes). Its the constant reevaluation of the criteria that were using to make sure that we get it to as many people as possible in the time thats allotted, she said. 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. This roll back would include millage reductions, or reductions in property tax rates. But I would say that anybody who falls in that (COVID hardship) category could be eligible.. Another $443,521 will go to Episcopal Children's ServicesHead Start Center program in east Gainesvillethat would provideearly learning for children from low-income families. 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. 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. Source: www.diychatroom.com. Shuping said the remaining $7.6 million or so will likely be allocated for public safety, such as overtime paid to sheriffs deputies. Commissioner Mike Byerly spurred the efforts to bump up the dollar limit for which people could apply. The American Rescue Plan provides $10 billion to state and Tribal governments to fund small business credit expansion initiatives. Why an Arizona County Turned Down $1.9 Million in Covid Relief Two Republican supervisors voted to reject the federal money, frustrating health care workers in rural Cochise County. 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. 200 East Gaines Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399, Copyright 2023 Florida Department of Financial Services. This website tracks only actual disbursements of the $5.86 billion deposited into the Florida Treasury. Read more about the C.D.C.'s . According to the budget document, this would be only the third time in the last 40 years that the millage rate dipped under eight mills.. furloughed / laid off). UF Faculty and Students Protest the lack of Covid Protections, 37 local nonprofits would receive federal pandemic grants under recommendation, As pandemic subsides, Alachua County's workforce is back but employers still staffing up, Alachua County Planning Commission votes down proposed development at West End Golf Club, Gainesville for All's planned family learning center, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy, Alachua County Coalition for the Homeless and Hungry - $750,000, Alachua County Health Promotion and Wellness Coalition - $115,028, Alachua County Organization for Rural Needs, Inc., d/b/a ACORN Clinic - $64,598, Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention - $10,000, Catholic Charities Gainesville - $409,270, CDS, Family & Behavioral Health Services - $138,154, Family Promise of Gainesville, Florida, Inc. - $268,520, FL Institute for Workforce Innovation, d/b/a Project YouthBuild - $422,522, Food4Kids Backpack Program of North Florida, Inc. - $20,000, Gainesville Area Community Tennis Association, d/b/a Aces In Motion - $20,000, Gainesville Community Counseling Center - $284,698, Gainesville Housing Development and Management Corporation - $20,000, Girls on the Run of Alachua County - $20,000, Meridian Behavioral Healthcare, Inc. - $151,773, Mt. State may withhold funds and remove School Board members over masks The new positivity rate in Alachua County dropped from 30.7% to 27.3%. . The county on Tuesday also voted to allow $26 million of its general fund to cover the costs of the final phase of CARES Act funding, which is underway, until it can be reimbursed by the federal government later. Example: Overtime, additional staff, and law enforcement support. Any new allocations announced by the Governor's Office or the Florida Legislature would not appear in these numbers until payments are actually A little over $3 million will be used for facilitating compliance with county health measures. WUSF is reporting on how distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine exposes inequities in Floridas health care system. Those are the people who are involved in these most vulnerable businesses.. These actually align really closely with the populations, which is what wed expect, Shuping said. News / dec 4, 2019 / 01:45 pm est. Commissioner David Arreola also expressed disappointment with a lack of funding for some groups. 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 money set aside made up nearly a quarter of the $32 million Gainesville received from theAmerican Rescue Plan Act. "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. a $101.5 billion state budget in April, a nearly $10 billion increase in spending from the last fiscal year. 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. A little over $3 million will be used for facilitating compliance with county health measures. This makes Alachua County one of just five communities state-wide to use 100% of their first round of funds; totaling $7 million. Or, businesses of 50 employees or less can receive up to $10,000 through a back-to-work grant with documented efforts to reemploy furloughed or laid-off workers. Support COVID-19 fundraisers; Crisis Relief; Learn more. $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. 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. Based on the number of pending applications which includes more than 3,300 in different phases of the process Shuping said she expects the county to distribute more than $21 million to individual residents. February 2023 The federal government has providedthe COVID-19 pandemic. For the law enforcement fund, the millage rate would reduce from 3.7240 mills to 3.5678 mills. Most municipalities also signed a subrecipient agreement with the county to receive their own aid money. 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. 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. Our responsibility is to keep you informed, and to help discern whats important for your family as you make what could be life-saving decisions. The crawl space scooter is built with 1/4 high grade. Alachua County will receive 25% of its aid package, about $11.7 million, in the first round of fund dispersals. Because I received ERAP, I was kind of discriminated against since then, said King. More than $13.6 million has been distributed to nearly 3,500 peopleand households so far, saidApril Shuping, a partner with Carr Riggs & Ingram, which is leadingthe application process. Alachua County posts Cares Act Grant application link If local news is important to you, consider becoming a digital subscriber to the Gainesville Sun. 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.. Sign up for our daily or breaking newsletters, becoming a digital subscriber to the Gainesville Sun, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. However, the taxes are recovering and are expected to continue recovery into the 2022 fiscal year. Applicants must be permanent Alachua County residents and show proof of financial strains. With documented loss of profits or employees remaining on payroll during closure, small businesses of 25 employees or less can receive up to $10,000 in aid, while medium businesses of 25 to 50 employees can receive up to $15,000. Its the constant reevaluation of the criteria that were using to make sure that we get it to as many people as possible in the time thats allotted, she said. Health News Florida | Businesses may also use funds as reimbursement for costs incurred to reopen, such as installing protective shields and buying personal protective equipment for workers. 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. King said her landlord is not accepting the funds. The money is intended to help a host of organizations provide and increaseservices to area residentswork thatmay have been hindered during the COVID-19 pandemic. "So I was $15,000 behind so ERAP really helped me out," said Alachua County resident, June King. "For almost three years, we have been operating with an eight- to 12-week runway of cash," she said. 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 other $750,000 will be allocated to things like expansion of testing sites and emergency transport costs. use federal COVID-19 relief dollars to cover any funding losses from the state . The county also received $17 million from the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, Sexton said. Click here to subscribe to our newsletter. More:City funding plans create opportunity, risk, More:Alachua County evictions are on the rise, with 188 cases still open. made. The Florida Institute for Workforce Innovations job training program for at-risk youths is receiving$422,522. Sexton said all of the CARES Act money was allocated and spent by December 2020. Alachua requested about $200,000 and has received about $35,000. New applications for the program close in about a week. About 500 businesses also applied for assistance, and about $2.3 million has been awarded to businesses throughout the county. Commissioner Mike Byerly spurred the efforts to bump up the dollar limit for which people could apply. Alachua County Organization for Rural Needs Inc.'s ACORN medical and dental clinic, which is proposed to receive $64,598 . According to the budget document, this would be only the third time in the last 40 years that the millage rate dipped under eight mills.. Even though the county has been able to increase its budget, it has incurred losses in some areas. About $1 million will be available for the payroll expenses of county, municipal and constitutional officer employees working overtime in response to the pandemic. 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. Five-year-old Parker Kay was among the first young children to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric COVID-19 vaccine in Alachua County last Sunday. GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) - Alachua County is now under a declared state of emergency due to COVID-19. More than $15.5 million of grant money has been spent to process applications and payout bills to qualifying residents. 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. Commissioner Mike Byerly said getting money into the pockets of laid off residents should be a priority. 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. The budget will be the subject of deliberation by county commissioners with two final hearings in September. Students in kindergarten through 11th grade . Alachua County Public Schools on Tuesday announced its efforts to bridge the digital divide with money from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which could potentially provide enough funding. This pages tracks the history of coronavirus cases in Alachua County, both recent and all-time. Source: www.ridgidforum.com. 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. 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. 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.. $500,000 cost to enforce public ordinances in place to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. About 53% of recipients livewithin Gainesville's city limits, while about a third live in unincorporated areas of the county. $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. Distribution will just be paused to make sure that each of the smaller perhaps less technology driven areas have a chance to get their applications in an processed.. PDF GAO-23-106647, COVID-19 Relief: Funding and Spending as of Jan. 31, 2023 It is clear to me that building and nurturing strong partnerships within our community is a commission priority, Lieberman said. (March 11), Gainesville officials approve $7 million in pandemic relief to dozens of local nonprofits, Alachua County seeks community help to bridge digital divide by taking internet speed test, School board approves 4 of 11 math textbooks after DeSantis' crackdown on critical race theory, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. If a business received other federal aid, it may impact their ability to receive the countys CARES Act funds. A majority of those funds about 72% are for Gainesville-based businesses. About $2.5 million is left over for any other eligible expenses. 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. About $500,000 of that will be set aside for future food delivery to vulnerable populations, such as senior citizens. Documented lost profit from required closure, Documented employees (non-owner/family) remaining on payroll while on required closure. Nearly $7 million of pandemic relief money will be distributed to dozens of local nonprofits, the Gainesville City Commission unanimously agreed on Thursday. County approves $46.9M COVID-19 aid money plan - Gainesville Sun 20% of this will be available during the first round of the countys CARES Act funding. Gainesville has requested $2.9 million and has so far received about $749,000. The crawl space scooter is built with 1/4 high grade. In July 2020 the county received $46 million from the CARES Act. $21.1 million for Individual Assistance Grants, 2. Alachua County Reveals Future COVID-19 Relief And Budget Plans, WUFT 89.1 / 90.1 Featured Thank you Gifts. 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. 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. To be held in reserve for programs not yet determined and expenses not yet anticipated. As part of our ongoingoversee and regularly report on this The Big Picture Six COVID-19 relief laws enacted in 2020 and 2021 provided about $4.6 trillion of funding for pandemic response and recovery.
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alachua county covid relief fund