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. But I would say that anybody who falls in that (COVID hardship) category could be eligible.. Alachua County Emergency Rental Assistance pay millions in rent and utility services to community, Equestrian show jumper from Central Florida dies during a competition. 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. Nora is a reporter for WUFT News who can be reached by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news@wuft.org. 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. Through a survey, commissioners have expressed very different views about how the American Rescue Plan dollars coming to the city should be spent. $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. Example: Modification to Air Handling System, and inmates per pod / cell. 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.. We will still take applications, they will still get time stamped and reviewed, Director of Finance April Shuping said. 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. $2 million for Medical Expenses $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. Alachua Board of County Commissioners / The Florida Channel The Alachua County Commission met via zoom Tuesday. The federal government will pay the vendors directly, Johnson said. GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) - The application for the Alachua County Cares Act is now live. 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. 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. We are hopeful that we have seen the worst of the pandemic, Lieberman said. This is the category that really belongs to the citizens.. During the first round of funding, only $2,500 of the total $5,000 will be available to each household. Sign up for our daily or breaking newsletters, becoming a digital subscriber to the Gainesville Sun, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. 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. All responses will be confidential, district officials said. County commissioners unanimously approved a plan for staff to find a way to connect residents with their promised money. 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. What's behind the shortages of Adderall, Ozempic and other meds? Funding for Health Care Providers During the Pandemic: An Update 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. In order to be eligible for the additional funds, it must use up this portion first. Citizens can apply for up to $5,000. Frequently Asked Questions Ask a Question or Request Assistance Report an Emergency Order Violation About $2.3 million total is expected to be allocated to some 22 local nonprofits. 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. Lieberman also proposes raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour for county employees. County residents can now click HERE to apply for the grant. 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. Sexton said all of the CARES Act money was allocated and spent by December 2020. The county will receive $52 million in aid, and is in the process of planning how it will be spent. Bread of the Mighty Food Banks mobile pantryprogram will get $477,534; Catholic Charities' homeless prevention program will see$409,270;Peaceful Paths domestic violence program will get $491,000. Here is a breakdown from the County on where the funds will be going: 1. WUSF is reporting on how distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine exposes inequities in Floridas health care system. For the law enforcement fund, the millage rate would reduce from 3.7240 mills to 3.5678 mills. This makes Alachua County one of just five communities state-wide to use 100% of their first round of funds; totaling $7 million. PDF 4182 Federal Register /Vol. 86, No. 10/Friday, January 15, 2021/Notices Copyright 2020 WCJB. King said her landlord is not accepting the funds. 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. Coronavirus Emergency Financial Aid: What Students Should Know - US News Web diy insulated grill jacket. The longer we waitto get money in the hands of people, the worse those folks' situations will be, she said. So far 3,450 have been accepted and 2,830 denied. I would imagine those folks would definitely qualify on the list, he said. The first-round of grants will be up to $2,500 with the possibility of up to an additional $2,500 in the future as funding allows. According to Lieberman, these initial funds must be spent before the county can receive the next set of funds. 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. 86, No. All rights reserved. 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. Those are the people who are involved in these most vulnerable businesses.. A little over $3 million will be used for facilitating compliance with county health measures. Nearly $7 million of pandemic relief money will be distributed to dozens of local nonprofits, the Gainesville City Commission unanimously agreed on Thursday. Im just getting back into nursing, just getting back on my feet. The vast majority of the funding $36.1 million will be reserved for relief grants to individuals and businesses. 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. All rights reserved. This is the overwhelming funding, going into this category, said Lieberman. Coverage of the coronavirus pandemic on Health News Florida. 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.. Equestrian show jumper from Central Florida dies during a competition. COVID-19 in Alachua County: Update for week of Jan. 21 - Gainesville Sun A little over $3 million will be used for facilitating compliance with county health measures. 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. The second round of ERAP funds is 65% used so far; with a total of $8 million. 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. February 2023 The federal government has providedthe COVID-19 pandemic. This would guarantee that staffing level for at least the six-month period that we can provide funding, she said. 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. All rights reserved. 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. 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. About 53% of recipients livewithin Gainesville's city limits, while about a third live in unincorporated areas of the county. Even though the county has been able to increase its, WUFT 89.1 / 90.1 Featured Thank you Gifts. Invent possible program. Coronavirus Relief Fund The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act was signed into law on March 27, 2020. Denials are usually due to lack of documentation that an economic hardship was caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. 1026. on March 23. That totals about $39.3 million, though the county was approved for $46.9 million for the federal program. 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. 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. The American Rescue Plan provides $10 billion to state and Tribal governments to fund small business credit expansion initiatives. The crawl space scooter is built with 1/4 high grade. 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. 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.. 2023 www.gainesville.com. 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. So Im considered as a holdover tenant.. 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. PDF ESSER Allocations to LEAs in Florida - National Education Association Alachua County Organization for Rural Needs, Inc., d/b/a ACORN Clinic - $64,598 Alachua Habitat for Humanity - $196,513 Bread of the Mighty Food Bank - $477,534 Students in kindergarten through 11th grade . These actually align really closely with the populations, which is what wed expect, Shuping said. School Board gets aid, but crowding, HyFlex teaching remain sore spots, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. So I was $15,000 behind so ERAP really helped me out, said Alachua County resident, June King. I will make sure we are maxing out money to individuals even before giving it to businesses, he said. COVID vaccine for children a huge relief, Gainesville parents say And that priority is reflected in this budget.. 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. Commissioner David Arreola also expressed disappointment with a lack of funding for some groups. This roll back would include millage reductions, or reductions in property tax rates. 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. Alachua County, Florida coronavirus cases and deaths GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) -Two waves of federal funds sent millions to Alachua County residents for rent and utility expenses. 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. 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 budget, it has incurred losses in some areas. The funds would go to Three Rivers Legal Services, a nonprofit legal firm the cityalready has under contract. Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) - Department of Human Services The budget proposal comes at a time where many are worried local economies are suffering from the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. 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. $750,000 allocated to other medical expenses to include, but not be limited to: Gainesville area nonprofits would split $7 million in pandemic relief 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. You're Shoring Up Your Hom. That could include families that dont have enough technology resources for all the students in their household., Biden signs $1.9 trillion COVID relief bill, Marking a year of loss and disruption, President Joe Biden on Thursday signed into law the $1.9 trillion relief package that he says will help the U.S. defeat the coronavirus and nurse the economy back to health. Florida has seen similar budget increases this year. Up to $15,000 total 4. The remaining $4.36 billion will be used by the State to cover COVID 19-related costs. "For almost three years, we have been operating with an eight- to 12-week runway of cash," she said. Rental assistance program funds are expected to run out in April. Alachua schools set to receive $6M in covid relief for at-home internet Update or Upgrade Your Sustaining Gift Today! 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. May 1The Community Foundation of Frederick County is accepting online applications for music instruction scholarships through May 31. To qualify for assistance, a homeowner must: Own and occupy an eligible one- to four- unit primary residence Have experienced a COVID-19 related financial hardship, and have been unable to remain current on mortgage payments Meet household income limits Have been current on mortgage and property taxes as of January 2020 Guidelines Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds On March 27, Congress passed and the president signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which established a new $150 billion Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) for state, county and municipal governments with populations of over 500,000 people to address necessary expenditures incurred due to the COVID-19 public health Alachua County Organization for Rural Needs Inc.'s ACORN medical and dental clinic, which is proposed to receive $64,598 . $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. The move comes as other districts could be enacting strict mask mandates due to skyrocketing COVID-19 cases as . 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. 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. Saco told commissioners last week thatshe understands that it takes time to approve of American Rescue Plan Act projects,but she said there are some immediate needs like utility assistance that need to be addressed quickly. Alachua residents expected to receive $21.8 million in CARES 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. The other $750,000 will be allocated to things like expansion of testing sites and emergency transport costs. At the moment, we have cash on hand to get us through June.". Local share of FEMA expenses for county, municipalities, and constitutional officer employees responding to COVID-19. 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 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. 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. 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. $7.5 million for Small Business Relief Grants 25 employees and less, 3. 20% of this will be available during the first round of the countys CARES Act funding. 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. However, the taxes are recovering and are expected to continue recovery into the 2022 fiscal year. City funding plans create opportunity, risk, Alachua County evictions are on the rise, with 188 cases still open, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. The states just starting to spend their ERAP 2 money. 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. 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. $21.1 million for Individual Assistance Grants, 2. To keep up with the latest local news subscribe to our TV20 newsletterHEREand receive news straight to your email every morning. 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. 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 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 July 2020 the county received $46 million from the CARES Act. 2023 www.gainesville.com. 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. Gainesville, Florida nonprofits receive COVID relief grants COVID-19 Community Resource Portal - Alachua County A total of 49 groups asked for a combined $19 million, but the list wasdwindled down to 37 groups based on priorities of existing services by the Community Foundation of North Central Florida through a competitive process with the help of city staff and community activists. 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. For my senior honors project, I decided to highlight this piece of local history and celebrate this underappreciated instrument. Alachua County will receive 25%. Vaccination rates continue to rise. The other $750,000 will be allocated to things like expansion of testing sites and emergency transport costs. If local news is important to you, consider becoming a digital subscriber to the Gainesville Sun. Mayor Lauren Poe on Thursday thanked Congress and President Joe Biden for taking an "unprecedented step" of providingthe funding directly to cities across the country. 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. Nearly $21 million was given directly to citizens who had COVID-19-specific impacts, Sexton said.