Here’s How Riverside County, California, is Spending CARE$ Act Covid Cash

By far, the county’s largest expenditures have been for Riverside
University Health System staffing.

The county has already received roughly $450 million in federal Coronavirus, Aid, Relief & Economic Security Act funds.

September 29, 2020 – By City News Service

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Well over half of the federal Coronavirus, Aid, Relief & Economic Security Act funds received by Riverside County have been spent, or are earmarked and will be spent on specific programs, an Executive Office spokeswoman told the Board of Supervisors Tuesday.

“We are making sure not to spend more than what’s allocated,” Lisa Brandl told the board. “Are we going to overspend our CARES Act allocation? No, we are not.”

The county has received roughly $450 million in CARES allotments, originating from the federal government and dispensed by the state. Another $37 million is expected to be disbursed to the county before the end of the year.

The first and largest installment, $431 million, was awarded in April. Since then, an additional $56.2 million has been assigned, according to Brandl.

In a previous board meeting, the supervisors asked Brandl for specifics on expenditures that they did not feel were adequately addressed in her first CARES Act presentation, and Brandl returned with clear references, not laden with charts and graphs.

The Small Business Assistance Grant Program required a $50 million commitment, three-quarters of which has been spent. The board established the program in June to provide individual relief grants of up to $10,000 per qualifying business that has been impacted by the public health orders tied to virus containment.

The program is in its final phase. However, if funding is made available for additional distributions, the county will announce it before Dec. 31. More information is available at www.RivcoBizHelp.org

By far, the county’s largest expenditures have been for Riverside University Health System staffing, including a six-month round-the-clock activation of the Emergency Operations Center that has since ended, as well as procurement of personal protective equipment, the establishment of COVID-19 screening sites and mobile labs.

According to Brandl, $322.7 million in actual or committed expenses fall into this category. Read more