Moniteau County officials are moving into the second phase of funding distribution for the $1,892,606 in Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds appropriated to the county earlier this year, according to a news release published Monday.
In phase one of the county's fund distribution plan, two of five requests from government applicants have been approved thus far for a total of $8,206.74 - $5,655.28 to the County SB-40 board and $2,551.46 to the city of California - as the county continues to work with the remaining applicants to obtain the proper documentation to move forward with their requests. Phase two will allow local governmental entities, nonprofits and small businesses that employ 25 or fewer employees to apply for aid.
As in the first round of funding, applications must be based on requests for reimbursement of eligible expenses or costs already incurred - or revenue loss, in the case of small businesses and nonprofits - during the period March 1 through Sept. 30, 2020, 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, as well as comparable income histories for non-profit and small business entities.
Applications for the second round of funding are due Oct. 28. The county will then review and evaluate the applications for completeness (including supporting documentation), compliance with CARES Act requirements and Treasury guidance, and anticipates making award decisions by Dec. 11. 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 second round of funding, the county anticipates a potential third round of funding.
The CARES Act was originally signed into law March 27, establishing the Coronavirus Relief Fund and appropriating $150 billion to it. 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, 2020 for the government, and were incurred during the period that begins March 1, 2020, and ends Dec. 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.