by

Fred Swift

Hamilton County Reporter

Hamilton County Commissioners and representatives of the county council will meet June 14 to discuss methods of distribution for federal COVID relief funds.

The county has been granted $65.5 million which must be distributed in the next two years. But, there are only certain areas where the money can be spent, including to county agencies with pandemic-related losses, certain infrastructure needs, non-profit community groups, and assistance to small businesses impacted by the pandemic.

The county thus far has only expended the relief funds for its employees who were paid bonus amounts up to $3,000 for the hazardous duty they experienced.

The 9 a.m. June 14 meeting is largely to get an explanation of the methods and guidelines for distribution of funds, and not for establishing amounts to be granted to specific agencies, organizations or firms.

The funds cannot be used for capital building projects.

Cities and towns within the county also receive relief funds designed to compensate for lost revenue during the past year. None has yet revealed their plans for distribution.