Lincoln County Commissioners have agreed to apply for CARES Act funding for reimbursement of expenses the county may have incurred due to COVID-19.
Wendi Marcy, Lincoln County Emergency Management Director, explained to the commissioners, “The state got a lot of money through the CARES Act and counties and cities can apply for those funds.”
The funds are like a grant, not a loan, she said.
“Expenditures due to COVID-19 can be reimbursed up to 100 percent,” Marcy told the commissioners, “though 100 percent reimbursement is not guaranteed.”
Marcy said the deadline for the first request for reimbursement is June 10.
State officials said that request covers expenditures from March 1 through May 31. The state planned to begin processing requests last Monday, June 1.
Marcy cited as an example computers that County Clerk Alicia Wagnon purchased for her staff so employees could work from their homes during the pandemic.
Another was the salary of Marcy’s part-time secretary and much of her own time that has been dedicated to work caused by the virus.
She said additional payroll costs, overtime expenses, are also eligible for reimbursement.
Marcy pointed out that originally only Oklahoma and Tulsa counties were eligible for funding due to their populations of 500,000 or above. But the state also received CARES Act Coronavirus ReliefFunds (CRF) and the smaller counties and cities may apply.
The expenditures must have occurred since March 1. Marcy said the expenses can’t have been paid by insurance, or have been budgeted.
“Proof of payment must be provided,” she said. Commission Chairman Lee Doolen suggested copy of a check could be one method of proof.
A single point of contact for the county must be designated. Marcy volunteered to be the contact, saying, “it kind of falls in line with what Ido.”
Commissioners voted to make her the county’s point of contact.
Marcy said if reimbursement for expenditures was rejected, the county could still seek reimbursement from FEMA.
In other business during the special meeting, Ginny Fowble was appointed to the Lincoln County Industrial Authority.
She represents District 2.