The City of Fayette may be eligible to receive a portion of the nearly $1.2 million granted to Howard County as part of the CARES Act. Nathan Nickolaus, the city’s attorney, ran down a list of possibilities for which Fayette could apply for funds during the regular meeting of the Board of Aldermen on June 2.

On March 27 Congress passed, and President Trump signed into law, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which established and appropriated $150 billion to the Coronavirus Relief Fund. Under the CARES Act, the funds are to be used to make payments for specified uses to states and certain local governments. The U.S. Treasury Department issued guidance on April 22 regarding the use of the funds for state, territorial, local, and tribal governments.

In May, Howard County received $1,173,317. Nickolaus urged the city to apply for reimbursements of expenses related to the coronavirus. Eligible expenses include cleaning supplies, personal protective equipment, and time spent cleaning. Also included are public safety salaries. Money spent on payroll for the Fayette Police Department beginning March 20 would be reimbursable, including overtime and time spent in quarantine. Some city administrative costs could be reimbursed as well. Additionally, money the city spent on equipment and training to allow for virtual meetings would qualify,” Nickolaus explained.

The city would also be able to establish grant programs for local businesses that have racked up losses during the pandemic, and for those who have been unable to pay utility bills due to loss of income.

“Some towns will be smart enough to do this and take advantage of grabbing that money, and some towns will not,” Nickolaus said. “I think that Fayette needs to be one that does that.”

An agreement has been sent from the county to the city, should Fayette apply for reimbursement of such expenses.