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. About 500 businesses also applied for assistance, and about $2.3 million has been awarded to businesses throughout the county. Other initiatives in the budget plan included raising the minimum wage for county workers from $14 to $14.50 an hour, continued construction of a county agricultural and equestrian center and development of new county infrastructure, such as an administration building to consolidate much of the countys downtown operations in a single location.. So far 3,450 have been accepted and 2,830 denied. $7.5 million for Small Business Relief Grants 25 employees and less, 3. Nearly $7 million of pandemic relief money will be distributed to dozens of local nonprofits, the Gainesville City Commission unanimously agreed on Thursday. The crawl space scooter is built with 1/4 high grade. They decided not to renew my lease December 31 so at this point I havent found nowhere else to place my family. Small retail, salons, non-essential businesses, daycares, etc. Commissioners have discussed putting money toward public health measures and infrastructure, among other things, Sexton said. Distribution will just be paused to make sure that each of the smaller perhaps less technology driven areas have a chance to get their applications in an processed.. 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. Micanopy chose not to participate in the program, he said. 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. Also included in the plan is $2 million for medical expenses such as costs to the Florida Department of Health in Alachua County for testing, contact tracing and case management. Eligibility is reserved for residents who were furloughed or laid off, or those who need help making rent, utilities, internet, phone, or car payments from March 1 until now. After the first round of applications are reviewed, it could take up to two weeks until the funding is distributed. 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. What's behind the shortages of Adderall, Ozempic and other meds? The commission also agreed to spend $500,000 from the federal funds to help people fight evictions. $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. The county will hire a third-party consultant, Carr, Riggs & Ingram LLC, to assist the county in managing and tracking fund disbursements. For the law enforcement fund, the millage rate would reduce from 3.7240 mills to 3.5678 mills. County spokesman Mark Sexton said Newberry remains ineligible to receive CARES funds because it was not in compliance with the county's emergency ordinances related to COVID-19. The Alachua County Commission at a special meeting Tuesday afternoon unanimously backed a plan for allocating $46.9 million from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security, or CARES, Act funds. The 2022 fiscal year runs from Oct. 1, 2021, to Sep. 30, 2022. 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. Example: Modification to Air Handling System, and inmates per pod / cell. All rights reserved. Alachua residents expected to receive $21.8 million in CARES funds Assistance for State, Local, and Tribal Governments The move comes as other districts could be enacting strict mask mandates due to skyrocketing COVID-19 cases as . A Governor has wide discretion in determining the entities in the State that will receive GEER funds. Businesses may also use funds as reimbursement for costs incurred to reopen, such as installing protective shields and buying personal protective equipment for workers. Help Catherine raise money for a new viola! - gofundme.com Rental assistance program funds are expected to run out in April. Example: Social distancing markers, signage, modifying counter areas, etc. Gainesville's COVID relief to help residents pay utility bills and fight eviction . The remaining $4.36 billion will be used by the State to cover COVID 19-related costs. Others expressed frustration with the smaller $20,000 and $10,000 grants received. More than $13.6 million has been distributed to nearly 3,500 peopleand households so far, saidApril Shuping, a partner with Carr Riggs & Ingram, which is leadingthe application process. The next phase of COVID-19 financial assistance comes through the American Rescue Plan. COVID vaccine for children a huge relief, Gainesville parents say Copyright 2022 WCJB. 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. About 53% of recipients livewithin Gainesville's city limits, while about a third live in unincorporated areas of the county. "It was a priority of this commission thatmoney be distributed directly to our local nonprofit agencies because A:they have a relationship and proven track record with serving folks in the community that needs it most and B:they can do things the city simply can not," Poe said. About $2.7 million went to small businesses, $6.3 million went to government agencies, about $2.7 million went to nonprofit organizations conducting COVID-19 aid and about $11 million went to the countys COVID-19 relief efforts. A total of $21.1 million is set aside for individual and household assistance. Diy Crawl Space Creeper - DIYQG Alachua schools set to receive $6M in covid relief for at-home internet You're Shoring Up Your Hom. 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. And we are looking forward to tackling the challenges of the next year as we continue to build and strengthen partnerships because we are better together., Tags 2021 Budget 2022 2022 Budget Alachua County Budget Alachua County Comission budget CARES Act Property Value Increase, The Gainesville City Commission unanimously voted Thursday to spend $5.6 million on a partial restoration . COVID-19 Community Resource Portal - Alachua County News / dec 4, 2019 / 01:45 pm est. 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.. Public health expenses include an initial $2 million in funding for purchasing protective equipment for health workers and disinfecting public facilities (including nursing homes). 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 Alachua County School District will use federal pandemic relief funding to helpstudents have better access to the internet at home. 20% of this will be available during the first round of the countys CARES Act funding. made. The state. All rights reserved. Tenants have to be at or below 80% of the average median income for Alachua County which is at $39,000 yearly for one person. 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 Businesses must be able to show documented loss of profit due to required closure or efforts to rehire furloughed or laid-off workers. Any new allocations announced by the Governor's Office or the Florida Legislature would not appear in these numbers until payments are actually $2.5 million for any other COVID-19-related eligible expenses reasonably necessary to the function of government. $250,000 crisis intervention from trauma as a result of COVID-19. The county is responsible for ensuring that the CARES Act funds are used for necessary expenditures incurred due to COVID-19. $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. $500,000 cost to enforce public ordinances in place to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. However, the taxes are recovering and are expected to continue recovery into the 2022 fiscal year. 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. Last year Alachua County managed to complete various community projects amid the pandemic including the Alachua County Agriculture & Equestrian Center in Newberry, the UF/IFAS Extension building and Cuscowilla Nature Park and Retreat. 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.. $500,000 local share of FEMA expenses for county, municipalities, and constitutional officer non-payroll expenses responding to COVID-19. Funding for Health Care Providers During the Pandemic: An Update 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. 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. If not expended by October 30, 2020, this amount shall be redistributed to other categories. This roll back would include millage reductions, or reductions in property tax rates. Those are the people who are involved in these most vulnerable businesses.. Most municipalities also signed a subrecipient agreement with the county to receive their own aid money. GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) -Two waves of federal funds sent millions to Alachua County residents for rent and utility expenses.