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Set a public hearing for August 31 to amend the 2019-20 budget related to federal CARES Act spending
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EXPLANATION AND SUMMARY:
Due to the coronavirus pandemic in the spring of 2020, the federal government passed the CARES Act to provide direct funding to localities with populations greater than 500,000 for expenses that would help mitigate and prevent spread of the disease. CARES funds are for expenses only and are specifically designed not to provide revenue replacement for local governments.
Fairfax County was the only jurisdiction in Virginia with a population of more than 500,000. The county received CARES funding in April and passed on a share of $2.886 million, based on proportionate population, to the Town in late April.
The Town's finance director and Town Attorney have been examining guidance issued by the US Treasury department as to appropriate uses of this funding. To ensure that the Town is in compliance with scant federal guidance, the finance director participates in weekly calls with Fairfax County, Herndon, and Clifton (other towns in Fairfax County), and weekly statewide finance calls that address proper uses of CARES funds.
Each department head was made aware of the funds and eligible uses and developed plans for CARES funds based on their efforts to prevent and mitigate the spread of the disease. Uses include purchasing adequate personal protective equipment (PPE), providing teleworking equipment to limit contact in Town buildings, purchasing and constructing barriers in Town buildings, hazard pay and select salaries for employees in direct contact with the public, and temporary worker salaries for additional monitoring of public gathering places and cleaning of public buildings. The Town also allocated $1 million for business relief, as administered through the Fairfax County RISE program, and an additional $100,000 to prevent eviction or foreclosure for residents. Staff currently is working to find the right pa...
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