AGENDA DATE: 9/2/2020
TITLE:
Title
Round Two CARES Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) and resolution authorizing County Executive to execute CARES CRF documents on behalf of the Board of Supervisors
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Adopt resolution authorizing County Executive to execute all documents related to COVID-19 matters including those regarding CARES CRF funding on behalf of the Board of Supervisors
ITEM TYPE: Consent Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Kamptner, Birch, Bessette, Shifflett K, Allshouse L
PRESENTER (S): N/A
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: On June 1, 2020, the Commonwealth of Virginia provided a round one allocation of $9,538,621 in federal CARES Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) monies to the County of Albemarle. The Board of Supervisors approved the County’s CARES CRF Initial Implementation Plan on July 1, 2020. The funding is required to be used for qualifying expenses incurred during the period that begins on March 1, 2020 and ends on December 30, 2020.
Guidance from the U.S. Department of the Treasury states that expenditures must be used for actions taken to respond to the public health emergency that may include expenditures incurred to allow the locality to respond directly to the emergency, such as by addressing medical or public health needs, as well as expenditures incurred to respond to second-order effects of the emergency, such as providing economic support to those suffering from employment or business interruptions due to COVID-19-related business closures.
The County’s Round One implementation plan, approved by the Board of Supervisors on July 1, supports the County’s following Response Goals: 1) Reduce transmission to staff and public; 2) Protect people who are at higher risk; and 3) Maintain essential services, and that supports the County’s following Reconstitution Goals: 1) Protect the health and safety of staff and residents; 2) Support all people and communities; and 3) Facilitate a safe transition to “normal” county operations and community economic recovery.
On July 28, 2020, Aubrey L. Layne, Jr., Secretary of Finance, Commonwealth of Virginia provided a memo to Virginia localities stating that the Commonwealth would be providing a second and final round of CARES CRF funding to local governments. The second round of funding allocated to Albemarle County is also $9,538,621, based on population. The second round of funding must be expended in accordance with the same requirements and timeline as round one CARES CRF funding.
The Federal Statute specifies that expenditures using Fund payments must be “necessary.” CARES CRF funding is to be considered “one-time” and should not be used for ongoing services. The County is required to maintain all necessary documentation to ensure compliance with the federal requirements and
would be responsible to return funds to the Federal government if it were determined that the funds were spent on purposes that do not qualify.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Mission: To enhance the well-being and quality of life for all citizens through the provision of the highest level of public service consistent with the prudent use of public funds.
DISCUSSION: On August 10, the County submitted a certification for the release of funds to receive the second distribution of CARES CRF funds. Round two CARES CRF funding will continue to be expended to support the County’s Response Goals: 1) Reduce transmission to staff and public; 2) Protect people who are at higher risk; and 3) Maintain essential services, and that supports the County’s following Reconstitution Goals: 1) Protect the health and safety of staff and residents; 2) Support all people and communities; and 3) Facilitate a safe transition to “normal” county operations and community economic recovery.
Second Round CARES CRF funding will continue to support the categories approved by the Board’s CARES CRF Implementation Plan approved on July 1, however, to remain nimble given the required timeline, implementation of the plan may be adjusted to ensure the funding is utilized for high priority COVID-19-related expenses within the specific timeline.
The appropriation of round two CARES CRF funding is included in today’s Board of Supervisor’s FY 2020 Budget Amendment and Appropriations Agenda item.
Staff will report to the Board the uses of round one and round two of CARES CRF funding on a monthly basis.
Given that the funding must be used for qualifying expenses incurred by December 30, 2020, staff requests that the Board adopt a resolution authorizing the County Executive to execute documents on behalf of the Board related to COVID-19 matters to further expedite the process in case a situation arises that does not fall within his authority under Virginia Code § 44-146.21(C).
BUDGET IMPACT: Round one and Round two of CARES CRF program provided the County by the Commonwealth totals $19,077,242 to address direct impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends the Board adopt the attached resolution (Attachment B) authorizing the County Executive to execute all documents on behalf of the Board related to COVID-19 matters, including those regarding CARES CRF funding.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: July 28, 2020 Letter from Aubrey L. Layne, Jr, Secretary of Finance, Commonwealth of Virginia
Attachment B: Resolution to authorize the County Executive to execute all required documents related to COVID-19 matters, including those regarding CARES CRF funding.