by Mike Knaak
editor@thenewsleaders.com
St. Joseph’s city budget will be boosted by its share of CARES Act funding 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.
St. Joseph City Administrator Kris Ambuehl said the city is working on a plan to use the money.
“We want to make sure it is applied to areas appropriate and most affected by Covid,” Ambuehl wrote in an email. “We are also in communication with the county to make sure our efforts align.”
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 $551,340 for St. Joseph.
The CARES Act requires payments may only be used to cover costs that are necessary expenditures incurred because of 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.
