How cities are planning to spend CARES Act funding

DeKalb to share $32.6 million with cities

DeKalb County commissioners’ decision to share federal CARES Act funding with its cities is helping many of the cities avoid revenue losses and budget shortfalls caused by COVID-19 expenses this year.
The county received $125 million of CARES Act funding in April, and unlike in some counties, county leaders elected to share some of it—26 percent, or about $32.6 million—with its cities.
Most cities will use funds to reimburse some expenses that have already been used toward unforeseen COVID-19 costs and programs. The county set a deadline in the cities’ intergovernmental agreement for the funds to be used by Dec. 20, 10 days before the federal deadline.
The county used a formula based on population to determine how much of $32.6 million to allocate to each city. While many of the cities’ leaders have not officially approved a budget for how to spend their share of CARES Act funds, below is a summation of each of the cities’ tentative plans:

Avondale Estates- $354,891
On Sept. 16, the city commission gave the go-ahead to move forward with using the city’s portion of CARES Act funding to reimburse ongoing costs for PPE equipment, COVID-19 related administrative leave expenses, to offset the cost of police patrol, and relocate court services from city hall to an annex location that allows more space for social distancing.
The funds also will be used to construct a payment window at the court to protect staff and public from potential transmission of COVID-19.
City Manager Patrick Bryant said CARES Act funds allow the city to prevent revenue loss and move forward with planned merit-based raises for city employees.

Brookhaven- $6,300,934
Receiving the largest amount among DeKalb County cities, Brookhaven plans to use $1.8 million on salaries and benefits for the police department that have accrued since the beginning of Georgia’s state of emergency in mid-March. The city plans to spend $1.1 million to provide rent/utility payments for residents in need, and another $1 million for the resumption of business activities through Brookhaven Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The city also plans to help Children’s Hospital of Atlanta with its incurred COVID-19 expenses using $998,000 in CARES Act funds. Another $700,000 is budgeted for IT expenses related to telework and IT infrastructure; $550,000 for sanitizing buildings and public areas; and other amounts for PPE and upgrading HVAC systems in city buildings.
The council was expected to take an official vote at its Sept. 22 meeting, after The Champion’s deadline.

Chamblee- $3,437,420
City officials elected Aug. 13 to use all its share for reimbursement expenses of public safety personnel. City Manager Jon Walker said allocating all CARES Act funds to public safety salaries and expenses will give the city a “clean, auditable trail.”

Clarkston- $1,433,288
Clarkston plans to spend $450,000 on rental and mortgage housing assistance for residents. Another $260,000 is planned as reimbursement for days paid but not worked by city employees since March 16. Utility payment assistance and workforce development each have an estimated budget of $100,000.
Hazard pay is budgeted at $50,000 and smaller amounts are budgeted for PPE, police equipment and legal services.
The city is leaving more than $399,000 as contingency to spend on budgeted categories as needed.

Decatur- $2,914,440
City Manager Andrea Arnold recommended Sept. 21 that the city’s allotment be used to reimburse the city for its public safety payroll expenses from March 1 through December 30, 2020.
“The GMA [Georgia Municipal Association] is recommending that cities take this same approach because once you have received the money into your general fund, reimbursed yourself for the public safety expenses, then you are no longer forced to spend the money [by the deadline],” explained Arnold.
Once the city is reimbursed for public safety payroll, Arnold recommended the $2.9 million continue to pay for the city’s other COVID-19 related expenses. Her suggestions include $905,000 toward employee related expenses including pandemic hazard pay, emergency family and medical leave, unemployment, vaccine response, and COVID-19 related equipment.
Another $975,000 was proposed for efforts that include small business relief, assisting business with outdoor dining and retail efforts, and giving grants to nonprofits.
Operational and IT expenses—to include PPE and cleaning supplies, virtual court, remote IT software, and a staff quarantine facility—is budgeted at $700,000. The city plans to leave $334,440 for contingency.

Doraville- $1,164,256
Doraville officials hosted a town hall Sept. 9 for residents to give input on how the city should use its CARES Act funds. Residents’ suggestions included using the funds for hazard pay for police officers, services for seniors, childcare assistance for working parents, and neighborhoods/sidewalks safety improvements as most people are having to stay home more due to the pandemic.
City officials discussed Sept. 22 that the funds will be applied first to reimburse first responder pay since March. Officials reviewed the city manager’s proposal which suggested that more than $300,000 be set aside for hazard pay; $150,000 to enhance virtual meetings and document access for the public; and $250,000 for budget stabilization for possible tax revenue losses or delays.
Other possible projects include touchless public restroom fixture upgrades, temporary Wi-Fi hotspots in apartment communities to aid students with virtual learning, PPE, and covering costs of paid leave for employees. Funds for future vaccines
The council will vote on an official budget breakdown at an October meeting.

Dunwoody- $5,597,957
Dunwoody officials voted to use $1 million for an economic grant program for small businesses affected by the pandemic; the proposal was approved on Aug. 10. Half a million dollars will be set aside for hazard pay and COVID-19 family and medical leave related expenses. Other expenses include $300,000 for food and daily cost assistance, more than $231,000 for IT upgrades, $150,000 for HVAC overhaul and office changes, and $100,000 to establish a virtual court. Smaller amounts are budgeted for PPE supplies, cleaning efforts, etc.
The city is setting aside $2.8 million for contingencies.

Lithonia- $264,382
City Administrator LaThaydra Sands said a budget for its funding has not yet been compiled. Sands said the city only ordered “bare necessities” and has over $7,000 in COVID-19 related expenses.

Pine Lake- $85,519
City Administrator Valerie Caldwell stated in an email to The Champion that city’s portion of the CARES Act funding will be used for “payroll and benefits of public safety employees whose services are substantially dedicated to mitigating or responding to the COVID public health emergency.”

Stone Mountain- $ 712,391
The city of Stone Mountain plans to spend its full amount of CARES Act funding on public safety personnel salaries, according to City Manager ChaQuias Miller-Thornton.
The city has used some of its reserve funds to cover costs of mask giveaways, safety implementations in buildings and PPE for employees. The city also plans to launch a small business program.

Stonecrest- $6,227,098
The city of Stonecrest is planning to focus most of its funds on small businesses. Deputy City Manager Plez Joyner said the city will set aside $5 million for a small business program.
While Joyner said the city has not incurred many COVID-19 related expenses, the remainder of the CARES Act funds will be used for projects under Stonecrest Cares, a city initiative that matches residents with resources through direct means or vetted resource referrals. Some of those initiatives have included giving away masks and providing COVID-19 testing.
Any remaining funds will be used to put protective measures in place at city hall and the recreation center, Joyner said.

Tucker- $4,127,920
The city plans to use the money on programs, including small business grants, mask distribution, housing and food insecurity. City officials plan to approve a budget breakdown at an Oct. 13 meeting.