The Indian River County Commission Tuesday approved changes in its plan for spending some $28 million in federal CARES Act funds awarded last year to cover COVID-19-related expenses. The county is allocating itself some $405,000 to cover additional costs related to its COVID vaccination program as well as bi-polar ionization units at the Sheriff’s office and jail; temperature-taking kiosks; and enhanced cleaning of county buildings.
The very popular small business grant application program is receiving an additional $350,000 after all $2.3 million of its original allocation was exhausted. County Administrator Jason Brown said the program has either awarded or is about to award some 238 small businesses grants of up to $10,000. Another 35 applicants are waiting in line for grants, which the reallocation will cover. And Treasure Coast Community Health was approved for $100,000 in additional funds to cover expenses related to administering vaccines.
Brown said the reallocations are being offset by a $428,000 reduction in projected COVID-related leave time payments to county employees; a decrease in county health department funding of some $590,000 that’s set to be covered by the state; $175,000 in unspent public health and safety payroll money; and other smaller categories.
