by Mike Knaak
editor@thenewsleaders.com
City budgets will be boosted by its share of CARES Act funding to be distributed by the state of Minnesota.
Minnesota counties, cities and towns will receive $841 million to support local government coronavirus relief efforts. The $841 million for local governments across the state can be used to support local government services as well as grants to businesses, hospitals and individuals who have been affected by Covid-19, according to a statement from the governor’s office.
Sartell City Administrator Anna Gruber said “We have not determined how it will be used and are awaiting more guidance from the state on what it can be used on.”
The Minnesota Department of Revenue will distribute the funding to local governments. Local governments will receive a direct payment based on the per-capita formula developed by the Legislature during the special session. Cities with more than 200 people will receive $75.34 per person, which works out to $1,412,931 for Sartell.
For St. Stephen, $66,375 is available and Le Sauk Township’s amount totals $45,875, according to the Minnesota Department of Revenue.
The CARES Act requires payments may only be used to cover costs that are necessary expenditures incurred due to the public health emergency, were not accounted for in the most recent city budget and were incurred during the period that began on March 1, 2020, and ends on Dec. 30, 2020. Congress passed the legislation in March and it was signed by President Trump.
