Moniteau County officials have announced a process for local municipal governments to apply to receive funding made available via the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
The CARES Act was signed into law on March 27, establishing the Coronavirus Relief Fund and appropriating $150 billion to the fund. Under the CARES Act, the funds are to be used to make payments for specified uses based on its requirements and United States Department of Treasury guidance.
On April 28, Moniteau County received information and guidance from the office of the Missouri State Treasurer regarding the distribution of CARES Act funds from the State of Missouri to Moniteau County. After approving and returning a certification for payment to the state of Missouri, Moniteau County received $1,892,606 on May 6.
Over the course of the past three weeks, Moniteau County has reviewed the requirements of the CARES Act and the guidance issued by the Department of Treasury and has been working to identify community priorities and develop an application process to allow applicants to request CARES Act funds and make award decisions for the use of funds.
Generally, the CARES Act provides that payments may only be used to cover costs that are necessary expenditures incurred due to the public health emergency with respect to COVID-19; were not accounted for in the budget most recently approved as of March 27; and were incurred during the period that begins on March 1, 2020 and ends on December 30, 2020.
Expenditures must be used for actions taken to respond to the public health emergency. Funds may not be used to fill shortfalls in government revenue to cover expenditures that would not otherwise qualify under the CARES Act. Expenditures using CARES Act fund payments must be reasonably necessary. Further information can be found by referring to the guidance issued by the Department of Treasury on April 22 and May 4.
The county has an application available to request CARES Act funds. Initially, for the first round of funding, local governments will be eligible to submit an application. Applications for the first round of funding must be based on requests for reimbursement of eligible expenses or costs already incurred during the period of March 1 through May 31 and must satisfy the requirements of the CARES Act and Treasury guidance. Applicants will be required to submit sufficient supporting documentation such as invoices, receipts and proof of payment.
Applications for the first round of funding are due on June 26. The county will then review and evaluate the applications for completeness (including supporting documentation), and compliance with CARES Act requirements and Treasury guidance, and anticipates making award decisions by July 31. Award recipients will be required to enter into a written agreement with the county prior to disbursement of awarded funds.
The application is available at the Moniteau County Clerk's office. Questions regarding the application process may be directed to County Treasurer Sarah Jones at 573-796-4608 or [email protected].
Depending upon the number of applications received and amount of funds awarded in the first round of funding, the County anticipates potential additional rounds of funding.