Another round of COVID-19 relief funding is expected in the next few months, officials from the accounting firm assisting Cole County in meeting its obligations under the CARES Act said Wednesday.
Officials with BKD, of Springfield, told the Cole County Commission during its meeting Wednesday that the county needs to continue to show it has spent its federal relief funding wisely.
When Cole County received just more than $9 million in CARES Act money in May, instructions from the federal government indicated the money could go toward necessary expenditures incurred March 1 through Dec. 30. Funds that aren't spent by March 31, 2021, must be returned to the state. They cannot be used for replacement of lost revenue.
The commission approved more CARES Act funds to be distributed Wednesday.
Capital Barber Academy on Ellis Boulevard, a for-profit education institution, met the requirements to qualify for funds to help pay for technology for online learning and personal protective equipment for a total of $5,000, according to BKD officials.
Also approved was $1,704 to pay for iPads to track juveniles at the Prenger Family Center during the COVID-19 outbreak.
With the $6,704 approved Wednesday, that leaves $5,042,275 in available CARES Act funds in Cole County.
The goal remains to have the funds earmarked by Nov. 30.
BKD officials noted new guidelines from the federal government indicate they would allow the county to spend more CARES Act funds on public health and public safety employees than originally anticipated.