The Lane County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved the use of up to $5 million in emergency funds to address COVID-19 on Tuesday . The county had previously authorized the use of $750,000, on March 17.
So far, the $750,000 has been spent on services including staffing at two homeless respite sites, a medical respite site, and on small business loans, according to Health and Human Services Director Karen Gaffney.
County Administrator Steve Mokrohisky said the$5 million, which includes the $750,000, is to prevent repeatedly asking commissioners for more money as the situation evolves.
“We don’t know the extent of the financial impacts of this pandemic on Lane County, but what I can tell you is that the money that we’re spending on our emergency response is money that we have available to us", said Mokrohisky.
The county has tapped into both video lottery and general funds to cover costs, said Mokrohisky. He added staff is currently tracking all spending with the intent to seek reimbursement from state and federal governments.
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