Sign up for our daily or breaking newsletters, becoming a digital subscriber to the Gainesville Sun, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. a $101.5 billion state budget in April, a nearly $10 billion increase in spending from the last fiscal year. "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. Rental assistance program funds are expected to run out in April. But not everyone got in on the pot of funds. The new positivity rate in Alachua County dropped from 30.7% to 27.3%. The county will receive $52 million in aid, and is in the process of planning how it will be spent. Nora is a reporter for WUFT News who can be reached by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news@wuft.org. Im just getting back into nursing, just getting back on my feet. 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. This pages tracks the history of coronavirus cases in Alachua County, both recent and all-time. 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. More than $1 million has also been distributed to area nonprofits thus far, including $130,000 to Grace Marketplace homeless shelter and $245,000 to the Arc of Alachua County, which aids people with developmental disabilities. But most commissioners support utility debt forgiveness, with the following recommended expenditures: Gail Johnson, $1 million; Hayes-Santos, $3 million,Poe, $2 million; Saco $1 million;David Arreola, $750,000; and Ward, $1million. About $1 million will be available for the payroll expenses of county, municipal and constitutional officer employees working overtime in response to the pandemic. In total, 178,738 people have been vaccinated, that makes up 69% of the eligible. All responses will be confidential, district officials said. 2023 www.gainesville.com. Health News Florida | County Manager Michele Lieberman said the money will help the local health department add 38 additional employees to assist in the pandemic response. We particularly need to hear from the families of students who dont have access to the internet at home, either because they lack a device, connectivity, or both, Johnson said in a news release. 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. 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. 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. The increased construction in the area has also allowed the county to generate more revenue via property taxes, Sexton said. $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. Most municipalities also signed a subrecipient agreement with the county to receive their own aid money. If a business received other federal aid, it may impact their ability to receive the countys CARES Act funds. WUSF is reporting on how distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine exposes inequities in Floridas health care system. School Board gets aid, but crowding, HyFlex teaching remain sore spots, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. $1,250,000 allocated to the Alachua County Department of Health for contact tracing specialists, epidemiologists, and related support staff for testing, tracing, case management, and containment of COVID-19. 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. The money set aside made up nearly a quarter of the $32 million Gainesville received from theAmerican Rescue Plan Act. To keep up with the latest local news subscribe to our TV20 newsletterHEREand receive news straight to your email every morning. $2.5 million for any other COVID-19-related eligible expenses reasonably necessary to the function of government. 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. Alachua County posts Cares Act Grant application link, Application is now live for the Alachua County Cares Act Grant, Rent, mortgage, utility, internet, phone and car payment assistance, Daycare assistance for school-aged children, if school attendance is limited, Documented issue related to COVID-19 (i.e. Small retail, salons, non-essential businesses, daycares, etc. This is the overwhelming funding, going into this category, said Lieberman. The 2022 fiscal year runs from Oct. 1, 2021, to Sep. 30, 2022. Frequently Asked Questions Ask a Question or Request Assistance Report an Emergency Order Violation More:City funding plans create opportunity, risk, More:Alachua County evictions are on the rise, with 188 cases still open. About 500 businesses also applied for assistance, and about $2.3 million has been awarded to businesses throughout the county. 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. Its purpose is to serve all residents of Alachua County. Web crawl space door kit; Home alachua county covid relief fund crawl space creepers. 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.. 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. 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. These include maintaining the county jail, along with caring for the isolation and medical needs of the homeless population. 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 vast majority of the funding $36.1 million will be reserved for relief grants to individuals and businesses. The scholarships are funded by The Sperry L. Storm Memorial Scholarship Fund and The Guss Family Scholarship Fund for the Arts, two of more than 770 component funds of The Community Foundation of Frederick County. 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. This is the overwhelming funding, going into this category, said Lieberman. Alachua County will receive 25%. Coronavirus Relief Fund Through the Coronavirus Relief Fund, the CARES Act provides for payments to State, Local, and Tribal governments navigating the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak. 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. The Gainesville City Commission unanimously voted Thursday to spend $5.6 million on a partial restoration . Alachua County Organization for Rural Needs Inc.'s ACORN medical and dental clinic, which is proposed to receive $64,598 . 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. The CARES Act established the $150 billion Coronavirus Relief Fund. 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. A Governor has wide discretion in determining the entities in the State that will receive GEER funds. 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. 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. Web diy insulated grill jacket. Read more about the C.D.C.'s . Coverage of the coronavirus pandemic on Health News Florida. Denials are usually due to lack of documentation that an economic hardship was caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Lieberman also proposes raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour for county employees. For my senior honors project, I decided to highlight this piece of local history and celebrate this underappreciated instrument. County commissioners unanimously approved a plan for staff to find a way to connect residents with their promised money. Earlier CARES Act coverage: School Board gets aid, but crowding, HyFlex teaching remain sore spots. the commission agreed to spend up to $250,000 for COVID utility assistance and $500,000 for legal help to . The state. 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. $500,000 local share of FEMA expenses for county, municipalities, and constitutional officer non-payroll expenses responding to COVID-19. A little over $3 million will be used for facilitating compliance with county health measures. 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 inpiduals ability to demonstrate, I havent been able to pay my rent in three months, because I lost my job on March 17, he said. 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. Source: www.ridgidforum.com. 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. RELATED STORY: Families in need can receive up to $15,000 for rental assistance in Alachua County. That totals about $39.3 million, though the county was approved for $46.9 million for the federal program. Lieberman also unveiled the countys tentative budget plan for the fiscal year 2021, which was significantly influenced by the economic fallout of COVID-19. According to Lieberman, these initial funds must be spent before the county can receive the next set of funds. 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. $3.3 million for expenses of actions to facilitate compliance with COVID-19-related public health measures, 8. Here is a breakdown from the County on where the funds will be going: 1. This roll back would include millage reductions, or reductions in property tax rates. Going Beyond Assistance Fund - A 501(c)(3) nonprofit formed by HCSG to serve as a charitable employer-sponsored disaster relief organization to provide emergency, hardship, and disaster assistance . In addition to ARP ESSER, the ARP Act includes $3 billion for special education, $850 million for the Outlying Areas, $2.75 billion to support non-public schools, and additional funding for homeless children and youth, Tribal educational agencies, Native Hawaiians, and Alaska Natives. The Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) Program was approved by Congress as part of the rescue plan passed in 2021. Commissioners decided inpiduals will be able to apply for up to $5,000 (per household), a jump up from the plans initial proposal of $2,500. 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. Update or Upgrade Your Sustaining Gift Today! Up to $15,000 total 4. In Alachua County, there were 0 newly reported COVID-19 cases and 0 newly reported COVID-19 deaths on Apr 17, 2023. The museum requested themaximum funding at $750,000 but will receive a $10,000 cut for its "Spark Wonder. County residents can now click HERE to apply for the grant. In July 2020 the county received $46 million from the CARES Act. The organizations and awarded amounts are: Correction: This article has been updated to reflect the Cade Museum's funding from a Gatorade trust covers 14% of its operations and that the museum is getting $10,000 in ARPA funding. Resident June King is a program recipient who said she had COVID-19 for six months working as a nurse but is now searching for a new home. This would ultimately result in a difference of $504,226 in comparison to the funds projected revenue for this fiscal year. Pleasant United Methodist Church, Inc. - $10,000, Neighborhood Housing & Development Corporation - $750,000, North Central Florida YMCA, Inc. - $300,000, Pace Center for Girls, Inc. Alachua - $300,000, Rebuilding Together North Central Florida - $20,000, River Phoenix Center for Peacebuilding - $98,400, University of Florida Mobile Outreach Clinic - $300,000. Of this amount, the State of Florida was allocated $8.4 The Florida Institute for Workforce Innovations job training program for at-risk youths is receiving$422,522. 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. 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. 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 roll back would include millage reductions, or reductions in property tax rates. Most municipalities also signed a subrecipient agreement with the county to receive their own aid money. News about coronavirus in Florida and around the world is constantly emerging. Public health expenses include an initial $2 million in funding for purchasing protective equipment for health workers and disinfecting public facilities (including nursing homes). Copyright 2020 WCJB. Even though the county has been able to increase its, WUFT 89.1 / 90.1 Featured Thank you Gifts. $7.5 million for Small Business Relief Grants 25 employees and less, 3. Coronavirus Relief Fund Through the Coronavirus Relief Fund, the CARES Act provides for payments to State, Local, and Tribal governments navigating the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak. Example: Overtime, additional staff, and law enforcement support. 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. 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. 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,. The move comes as other districts could be enacting strict mask mandates due to skyrocketing COVID-19 cases as . made. Thanks to our prudent and responsible financial planning over many years, Lieberman said, we can implement this decision while continuing to provide the same level of excellent programs and services.. Support COVID-19 fundraisers; Crisis Relief; Learn more. Poe said we did not specify that when asked which customers would first get the utility assistance, but he pointed out that Gainesville Regional Utilities staff is compiling a list of those who have requested COVID relief in the past. Rental assistance program funds are expected to run out in April. 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. 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. Lieberman also proposed lowering the property tax millage rate, the countys largest revenue source, from 7.8935 to 7.8662. We highlight the stories of Black Floridians seeking emotional healing and wellness. For the law enforcement fund, the millage rate would reduce from 3.7240 mills to 3.5678 mills. 86, No. For the law enforcement fund, the millage rate would reduce from 3.7240 mills to 3.5678 mills. 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.. February 2023 The federal government has providedthe COVID-19 pandemic. for the 2022 fiscal year showed an increase in revenue and spending. But Alachua County has managed to make up for some of its pandemic-related losses. 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. Commissioners have discussed putting money toward public health measures and infrastructure, among other things, Sexton 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 This money helps support county residents struggling to pay rent as a result of the pandemic. A total of $21.1 million is set aside for individual and household assistance. New applications for the program close in about a week. The crawl space scooter is built with 1/4 high grade. 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. 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. In order to be eligible for the additional funds, it must use up this portion first. 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. 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. Click here to subscribe to our newsletter. A majority of those funds about 72% are for Gainesville-based businesses. $750,000 allocated to other medical expenses to include, but not be limited to: More than $15.5 million of grant money has been spent to process applications and payout bills to qualifying residents. By, New COVID variant of interest comes to Florida with a common allergy symptom: pinkeye, Abortion clinics urge Florida Supreme Court to maintain privacy clause protection, Quiet and parents' touch help the newborns of opioid users, a study shows. Award amounts will depend on the needs and size of the business. 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. "There was a focus on human services, per federal guidelines, with the greatest impact for those communities of city residents disproportionallyaffected by the pandemic," said Barzella Papa, director of the community foundation. City funding plans create opportunity, risk, Alachua County evictions are on the rise, with 188 cases still open, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Students in kindergarten through 11th grade . The budget proposal comes at a time where many are worried local economies are suffering from the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. The commission also agreed to spend $500,000 from the federal funds to help people fight evictions. 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. Businesses must be able to show documented loss of profit due to required closure or efforts to rehire furloughed or laid-off workers. 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. Alachua County will receive 25% of its aid package, about $11.7 million, in the first round of fund dispersals. Should the proposal be adopted, funds will go toward projects such as developing a new administration building, providing affordable housing and land conservation. May 1The Community Foundation of Frederick County is accepting online applications for music instruction scholarships through May 31. 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. Nearly $7 million of pandemic relief money will be distributed to dozens of local nonprofits, the Gainesville City Commission unanimously agreed on Thursday.