ADMINISTRATION - Joe Huss, Finance Director
Title
CARES SPENDING PLAN AMENDMENTS
Background
On July 28, 2020, Blaine received its share of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding. Over $2.2 trillion in various economic relief and stimulus packages was approved by Congress with Blaine receiving $5,022,709. Council has approved some of this funding for specific programs and now Staff is requesting the City Council formally approve the attached CARES spending plan that allocates the entire amount received.
At the October 5, 2020 City Council Meeting, the Council passed a motion approving a CARES Spending Plan. A number of items on that plan were listed estimates, as staff was still gathering information on a number of proposed expenditures and awaiting feedback regarding CARES eligibility. Since then, the plan has been updated and is now attached for Council approval.
While the attached plan does exceed the City’s allocation of CARES funding, for items that have yet to be paid, actual expenditures may be less than the estimates shown on the plan. This is especially true for eligible Public Safety expenses, as the Office of the Inspector General of the US Treasury has ruled that all public safety and public health expenditures incurred between March 1 through the end of year are presumed to be COVID related and eligible for CARES funding.
With Baker Tilly’s assistance, Staff continues to monitor spending related to the attached plan.
Recommendation
By motion approve the attached CARES spending plan.