BLOOMFIELD — Stoddard County officials have distributed about 10% of the funds allotted to them after the passage of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act in March.
The county received $3,405,212 in federal funds and has, so far, handed out $344,993 of it, according to Richland R-I School Superintendent Frank Killian, who helps oversee the county’s applications for funding.
The county’s commission, Killian said, developed an application “for anyone or any entity that believes their expenses will qualify for COVID reimbursement to fill out and apply for reimbursement.”
Several public agencies, schools and private businesses have turned in applications or have expressed interest in doing so, Killian noted.
“At this time, Advance School, Bell City School, Bernie School, Bloomfield School, Dexter School, Puxico School, an ambulance district, Dexter Police Department, Dexter Fire Department, American Steakhouse, Dexter Cinema and Stoddard County Clerk’s Office have either applied for reimbursement, inquired about reimbursement or filled out an application,” Killian said.
As of now, Killian said, funding has been approved for several, including Advance Schools, $53,675; Bell City Schools, $25,377; Bernie Schools, $101,697; Bloomfield Schools, $44,428; Dexter Schools, $105,432; and Puxico Schools, $14,384.
“At this point, these are not only the largest recipients, but also the only entities that completed the reimbursement process,” Killian said. “The amount distributed by the Stoddard County Commission will continue to increase as requests are completed.”
Other, smaller amounts also have been distributed, Killian said, “for items such as cleaning of all the voting booths, hand sanitizer, masks and other COVID supplies.
“The Stoddard County Health Department has also spent some money approved by the Stoddard County commissioners to supply all Stoddard County schools with hand sanitizer, masks and other PPE needed to keep students and staff safe.”
In Stoddard County, Killian is the designated person to accept application materials from those who wish to apply for COVID-19 cost reimbursement.
“My role is to collect the paperwork so entities can submit to the county clerk’s office or myself directly,” said Killian, adding his responsibility “is to ensure the application is completed, along with invoices and proof of purchase, or to let applicants know what information is needed to complete their file.”
Once he has the necessary documentation, Killian said, he then turns those applications over to the county’s commissioners for final approval.
“Only commissioners have the authority to approve or deny for reimbursement. I have no voice as for reimbursement,” Killian said.
Once approved, Killian said, the Stoddard County Clerk’s Office will send checks out for reimbursement.
Guidance from the federal government on the proper use of the funds, Killian said, has changed several times since the CARES Act first passed, and still remains vague.
“The guidance for how the COVID reimbursement monies are to be utilized has changed numerous times since the monies reached the county level, and these multiple changes have made it difficult for county commissioners because, originally, FEMA made the threat that any money not spent for COVID supplies, such as masks and hand sanitizer, will be taken out of the county commission budget,” Killian said.
Months later, Killian said, a defined set of rules, in writing, does not exist.
“The Stoddard County Commission has made the tough decision to move forward with dispersing monies, even without these changes in writing,” Killian said.