For the most part, local leaders are not planning to leave millions in CARES Act money on the table.
So far, the city of Madison, Hinds County and Madison County have applied for the funds. Madison County and Hinds County both had been approved for funds, while the city of Madison was still waiting.
Meanwhile, the city of Jackson was planning to apply for the CARES money but was still drawing up its application at press time. It was not known if the city of Ridgeland would be seeking the monies. Mayor Gene McGee said his city had not applied and would not say whether they would. The deadline to submit applications is October 15.
Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba said the city most definitely is applying, but the amount allocated to the city through state legislation would not be enough to cover all of its COVID-19-related expenses.
About $70 million in CARES Act money is being distributed to municipalities and counties across the state to help pay for COVID relief efforts. Funds are being allocated based on 2010 census numbers and for specific projects included in state legislation.
Jackson has been authorized to receive up to $4,064,043.13; Madison; and Ridgeland, $563,228.59. The legislature will pay up to $692,236.91 to Hinds County, based on its rural population; while it will pay up to $747,910.98 to Madison County, based on the number of residents living in its unincorporated areas.
Hinds County District One Supervisor Robert Graham said the allotment will be used to cover law enforcement salaries from March to December of this year, as well as to purchase equipment to help mitigate the virus.
Among expenses, the county is spending $22,500 to purchase touchless thermometer stations, which will be installed at the entry points to various county buildings, including the Chancery Court building downtown.
The board approved the purchase on September 21.
The city of Madison is also using its funds to purchase personal protection equipment for police and firefighters, as well as disinfectant for city facilities.
