MARIES COUNTY— Maries County is expected to receive next week in its bank account the first payment of what will eventually total $1,020,000 from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES). This money for Missouri counties is to cover necessary expenses incurred between March 1 and Dec. 30, 2020, because of the coronavirus global pandemic.

At last Thursday’s Maries County Commission meeting, Presiding Commissioner Victor Stratman said the county will receive the money, but the cities will not. However, cities within the county can document expenses and send this information to the county and the county may disperse reimbursable expenses to the cities. What’s money is not spent must be returned to the government in March 2021.

The federal guidance defines a necessary expenditure as one that could include direct emergency response as well as expenses related to addressing unemployment and businesses interruptions. Federal funds cannot be used to fill budget holes for shortfalls in revenue, according to the treasury department.

Phelps-Maries Health Department Director Ashley Wann and Maries County Emergency Management Director Scott John were both present at the meeting with other county officials.

The federal guidance defines a necessary expenditure as one that could include direct emergency response as well as expenses related to addressing unemployment and businesses interruptions. Federal funds cannot be used to fill budget holes for shortfalls in revenue, according to the treasury department. The group talked about what the money could be spent for. County Clerk Rhonda Rodgers said they put up plexiglass in the Vienna License Office at each of the three work stations. Stratman said the courthouse custodian has been working about two hours a day cleaning and sanitizing the courthouse and those efforts may have to increase when the courthouse is open to the public on May 4. John said they have increased cleaning in the sheriff’s office and in the jail areas.

Wann suggested they keep track of phone bills as the health department has seen a big uptick of its phone bills because of the conference calls they are doing. Also, they can include staff salaries and benefits, medical leave, paid family leave, phone bills, postage, emergency management activities, and more. “It all adds up,” she said, and suggested putting together a spreadsheet to keep track of all of the expenses.

Rodgers said she thinks MRPC has a guidance sheet that will help them track the expenses.

Stratman said the period of time the money will be used to pay for expenses is for the rest of the year. “The expenses probably will be more far-reaching when they are analyzed.”

There still are some questions they have about this over $1 million. Wann said she is not sure if schools, fire departments and ambulance districts can request COVID-19 reimbursements also.  Western District Commissioner Ed Fagre said there is a big pot of money for the fire departments. Wann said she knows they can’t double-dip. They plan to diligently track virus expenses for the rest of the year. “We don’t know how long this will go on,” Wann said. “The expenses may exceed this money.” 

Fagre said it’s a relief to know this money is coming.