If not expended by October 30, 2020, this amount shall be redistributed to other categories. The CARES Act established the $150 billion Coronavirus Relief Fund. So I was $15,000 behind so ERAP really helped me out, said Alachua County resident, June King. 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. This money helps support county residents struggling to pay rent as a result of the pandemic. About $500,000 of that will be set aside for future food delivery to vulnerable populations, such as senior citizens. 20% of this will be available during the first round of the countys CARES Act funding. 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. Shuping said the remaining $7.6 million or so will likely be allocated for public safety, such as overtime paid to sheriffs deputies. Equestrian show jumper from Central Florida dies during a competition. If local news is important to you, consider becoming a digital subscriber to the Gainesville Sun. Gordon Lightfoot, Canadian folk legend, dies at 84, 7 bodies have been found during a search for missing Oklahoma teens, Here are all the best looks from the Met Gala 2023, Florida Adds Nearly 10,000 COVID-19 Cases Wednesday; Hernando County Posts New Daily High, Florida Extends COVID-19 State Of Emergency, Alachua Commissioners Address COVID-19 Spike, Amend Mask Policy. More:City funding plans create opportunity, risk, More:Alachua County evictions are on the rise, with 188 cases still open. The county is also working on the Alachua County Regional Sports Complex, a project Lieberman said will generate over 1,000 jobs, $77 million in economic activity and over $12 million in tax revenues, annually. All responses will be confidential, district officials said. 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. This pages tracks the history of coronavirus cases in Alachua County, both recent and all-time. Outside of federal funding,local philanthropists' donations anda portion of funds from a Gatorade trust to help cover operating costs, Bailes said Cade has little local support and hasbeen in danger of closure, cutbacks and layoffs. This content is being provided for free as a public service to our readers during the coronavirus outbreak. The countys property appraiser is estimating a 6% increase in property values this year, Sexton said. Other local government agencies that requested aid include the health department, which has requested $1.85 million that has not yet been dispersed; the school board, which has received $750,000 out of the $2.05 million requested and the sheriffs office, which has received nearly $200,000. The Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) Program was approved by Congress as part of the rescue plan passed in 2021. 2023 www.gainesville.com. 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. $2.5 million for any other COVID-19-related eligible expenses reasonably necessary to the function of government. We are hopeful that we have seen the worst of the pandemic, Lieberman said. During the first round of funding, only $2,500 of the total $5,000 will be available to each household. (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. Sign up for our daily or breaking newsletters to stay informed. 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.. 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. In total, 178,738 people have been vaccinated, that makes up 69% of the eligible. Of this amount, the State of Florida was allocated $8.4 This roll back would include millage reductions, or reductions in property tax rates. Ten applicants were left off entirely, due to low priority scores, insufficient filing information or creating new services not previously established prior to the pandemic. 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. 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. This roll back would include millage reductions, or reductions in property tax rates. For the law enforcement fund, the millage rate would reduce from 3.7240 mills to 3.5678 mills. "Until last week, when our federal employee payroll tax credit was received, we were planning as if we would have to significantly modify our operations to make it through next week's payroll. 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. 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. Under the countys plan, eligible households may receive up to $5,000 to cover rent or mortgage, car, utility, phone and internet payments they are unable to cover. the commission agreed to spend up to $250,000 for COVID utility assistance and $500,000 for legal help to . Any new allocations announced by the Governor's Office or the Florida Legislature would not appear in these numbers until payments are actually The combined utility debt owed byGRUs active residential accounts that are more than 30 days past due is $940,558, said GRU spokesman Dave Warm. 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. Most municipalities also signed a subrecipient agreement with the county to receive their own aid money. 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. Public health expenses include an initial $2 million in funding for purchasing protective equipment for health workers and disinfecting public facilities (including nursing homes). The move comes as other districts could be enacting strict mask mandates due to skyrocketing COVID-19 cases as . COVID-19 Community Resource Portal This Portal is a partnership of local governments, first responders, educational institutions, hospitals, nonprofits, and many others. 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. Another $2 million is to be allocated for public health expenses such as PPE and supplies for medical and public safety workers, disinfection of public areas and mental health crisis intervention. 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. Lieberman also unveiled the countys tentative budget plan for the fiscal year 2021, which was significantly influenced by the economic fallout of COVID-19. A majority of those funds about 72% are for Gainesville-based businesses. Countys running out of funds doesnt mean the program is over, said April Shuping with Carr, Riggs & Ingram CPA firm. For my senior honors project, I decided to highlight this piece of local history and celebrate this underappreciated instrument. This website tracks only actual disbursements of the $5.86 billion deposited into the Florida Treasury. 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. Heres a breakdown of how the money is likely to be dispersed: individuals, $21.8 million; businesses, $2.8 million, not-for-profit assistance, $2.3 million; county government, $2.3 million; other government entities, $7.7 million; administration $2.4 million. Alachua County will receive 25%. The Alachua County Board of County Commissioners met via zoom for its special meeting Tuesday, July 7, 2020. The remaining $4.36 billion will be used by the State to cover COVID 19-related costs. 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. The second round of ERAP funds is 65% used so far; with a total of $8 million. Officials also voted to discuss how to spend and split a remaining$18,000 pot of money between the organizations at next week's general policy meeting. Gainesville has requested $2.9 million and has so far received about $749,000. for the 2022 fiscal year showed an increase in revenue and spending. Its purpose is to serve all residents of Alachua County. $249,384,820 GEER funds may be used by the Governor of Florida in support of public elementary and secondary education, institutions of higher education (IHEs), or other education-related entities. Applicants must be permanent Alachua County residents and show proof of financial strains. In Alachua County, there were 0 newly reported COVID-19 cases and 0 newly reported COVID-19 deaths on Apr 17, 2023. 4182 Federal Register/Vol. 2023 www.gainesville.com. Get the answers here, with data on cases and infection rates. 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. furloughed / laid off). July 8, 2020 Coronavirus, Government and politics. Example: Modification to Air Handling System, and inmates per pod / cell. I will make sure we are maxing out money to individuals even before giving it to businesses, he said. Tenants have to be at or below 80% of the average median income for Alachua County which is at $39,000 yearly for one person. 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. 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. In order to be eligible for the additional funds, it must use up this portion first. Poe said its not likely that the $250,000 will be enough to cover the past-due amounts owed by those withCOVID hardships, but he supports increasing the assistance amount with the help of the federal funds. The costs incurred amid COVID-19 such as rent or mortgage payments for households or PPE costs for small businesses, must take place between March 1 and Dec. 30, 2020. According to Lieberman, these initial funds must be spent before the county can receive the next set of funds. We highlight the stories of Black Floridians seeking emotional healing and wellness. All rights reserved. Coverage of the coronavirus pandemic on Health News Florida. High Springs requested about $100,000 and has received about $24,000. County officials also plan to work with local utility companies to come up with a designated amount of utility assistance for customers who have been unable to keep up with payments. But Alachua County has managed to make up for some of its pandemic-related losses. Residents and business owners who fell behind on expenses or lost significant income due to required closure may be eligible to receive up to $5,000 in COVID-19 relief money. Thank goodness we have the ERAP money there, said County Commissioner, Mary Alford. The Gainesville City Commission unanimously voted Thursday to spend $5.6 million on a partial restoration . Commissioners have discussed putting money toward public health measures and infrastructure, among other things, Sexton said. For the countys general fund, which provides resources for most county departments and constitutional offices, the millage rate would be reduced from 8.2729 mills about $8.28 collected by the county for every $1,000 that a property is a worth to 7.8961 mills, or about $7.90 collected. "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. County commissioners unanimously approved a plan for staff to find a way to connect residents with their promised money. King said her landlord is not accepting the funds. 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. Here is a breakdown from the County on where the funds will be going: 1. Alachua requested about $200,000 and has received about $35,000. 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. 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 federal government will pay the vendors directly, Johnson said. The money set aside made up nearly a quarter of the $32 million Gainesville received from theAmerican Rescue Plan Act. 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. 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. News about coronavirus in Florida and around the world is constantly emerging. A little over $3 million will be used for facilitating compliance with county health measures. 86, No. 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. Frequently Asked Questions Ask a Question or Request Assistance Report an Emergency Order Violation 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. 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. 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. Lieberman also proposed lowering the property tax millage rate, the countys largest revenue source, from 7.8935 to 7.8662. This would mark the fifth consecutive year the county has reduced the millage rate. 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. The county will receive $52 million in aid, and is in the process of planning how it will 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 Rental assistance program funds are expected to run out in April. 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. A total of $21.1 million is set aside for individual and household assistance. 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. 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. More than $15.5 million of grant money has been spent to process applications and payout bills to qualifying residents. All rights reserved. $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. Sexton said all of the CARES Act money was allocated and spent by December 2020. How GoFundMe Works; Why . on March 23. 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. 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. Commissioner David Arreola also expressed disappointment with a lack of funding for some groups. Despite a year where the Covid-19 pandemic was a dominant theme, the Alachua County budget will increase nearly $78 Million from 2020. Read more about the C.D.C.'s . The county also received $17 million from the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, Sexton said. Lieberman also unveiled the countys tentative budget plan for the fiscal year 2021, which was significantly influenced by the economic fallout of COVID-19. 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. 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. The new positivity rate in Alachua County dropped from 30.7% to 27.3%. The other $750,000 will be allocated to things like expansion of testing sites and emergency transport costs. Commissioner Mary Alford also suggested using some additional funding to make improvements to the county administration building, which is being used more now than it had been for several months, since commission meetings have resumed a hybrid, online and in-person structure. According to Lieberman, the funds will be shifted and reallocated to different programs and municipalities depending on need. 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. 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.
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