Washington County supervisors mull federal COVID relief money

More than $4 million in federal grant money has been allocated to Washington County, but the question is how can the county spend it.

The county has already received half the money, which comes from the American Rescue Act of 2021.

“We have received a partial payment — about half — and want to get the process started,” Board of Supervisors Chair Richard Young said during Tuesday’s meeting.

The other half of the money will be allocated to counties next year.

The tricky part for the county will be navigating the 150 pages of interim rules from the U.S. Treasury Department for how the money can be used.

“Those rules could change at any time,” Young said. “I think we need to stay ahead of them and get it narrowed down.

“We’re going to have to figure out how to spend this money according to their rules.”

The money is intended to help counties with expenses that they incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The first step, according to Young, is forming a committee made up of elected officials, department heads, legal counsel and other stakeholders.

He suggested breaking it down to several smaller committees, each one with a supervisor as a member.

“Everybody is going to make a huge wish list,” Young said. “It’s like Christmas.”

County Auditor Dan Widmer said, “I think some people may be disappointed ultimately.”

Supervisor Marcus Fedler suggested that each smaller group focus on one particular issue.

Public Health Director Danielle Pettit-Majewski said that outside people should be included in the committees.

“I think we’re going to need some people in different roles with their expertise,” she said. “It would be helpful to have that diversity.”

Young said that he hopes to be able to start forming the committee or committees at next week’s Board of Supervisors meeting.