County Commission Awards Phase II CARES Act Funds

by Amanda Mendez, publisher

editor@howellcountynews.com

 

 

More than a dozen Howell County agencies received awards in the second phase of funding for the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Intended to address the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, these funds will be used to reimburse those spent in response to COVID-19 or to provide for new needs in relation to the pandemic.

In Willow Springs, both the municipal government and the school district submitted applications that were ultimately approved. The City of Willow Springs was awarded almost $4,000 in the first phase of funding which was used to reconcile overdue utility balances and to reimburse the City for the cost to waive the credit card processing fee to consumers. 

The Phase II award is in the amount of $10,803.54 and will be used mainly to provide technology that will enable City Hall employees and the police clerk to work remotely if necessary. 

“We have not had those capabilities in the past,” wrote City Administrator Beverly Hicks in an interview. 

Specifically, Hicks said the City will buy laptops with remote access software as well as cleaning supplies and more PPE. 

The R-IV Willow Springs School district received $280,604.56 in Phase II. Superintendent Bill Hall told Howell County News in a phone interview that the funds will be used to recover the costs the district has already spent on PPE, sanitation supplies, and equipment. The school has also purchased Chromebooks and hot spots to support a remote learning model. 

The Willow Springs Police Department received $95,534 in CARES Act funds to implement a contact-free ticketing system in all eight of their patrol vehicles. Several other local law enforcement agencies received funding for the same system. For the full story on the new ticketing system see page 9.