Washington County supervisors to name committee to set COVID money priorities

WASHINGTON — The Washington County Board of Supervisors is moving forward with a plan to determine how to spend more than $4 million in federal COVID relief funds.

Washington County supervisors agreed Tuesday that they will name a five-member committee next week to begin the process.

“The group of five will report to us,” Supervisor Jack Seward Jr. said. “There will be other groups for each category.

“Once they determine their priorities, they will report to the group of five.”

Washington County has already received half of its allocation, which comes from the American Rescue Act of 2021, which was passed by Congress earlier this year and signed by President Biden.

The county is not able to spend any of the money until rules from the federal government are finalized.

Deputy Auditor and Claims Administrator Michelle Hyman told the board that the county received a 35-page draft of what are expected to be the final rules.

According to the document, funds can be spent in five different categories:

• Support public health response: Fund COVID-19 mitigation efforts, medical expenses, behavioral health care and certain county public health, public safety, human services and other related staff.

• Address negative economic impacts: Respond to economic harms to workers, families, small businesses, impacted industries and rehiring of public sector workers (including county staff).

• Replace public sector revenue loss: Use funds to provide government services to the extent of the reduction in revenue experienced during the pandemic.

• Premium pay for essential workers: Offer additional compensation, up to $13 per hour in additional wages, to those — both county employees and other workers in the community — who have faced and continue to face the greatest health risks due to their service. Funds can be used retroactively back to Jan. 27, 2020.

• Water, sewer and broadband infrastructure: Make necessary investments to improve access to clean drinking water, invest in wastewater and stormwater infrastructure and provide unserved or underserved locations with new or expanded broadband access.

Hyman said that all funds must be obligated by Dec. 21, 2024, and all funds must be expended with all work performed and completed by Dec. 21, 2026.