2020-05-11 Budget UpdateBudget Update
May 11, 2020
2 p.m.
Present: Commissioner Stamper (remotely), Commissioner Fund (remotely), Commissioner Jackson,
County Manager Erik Martin, Becky Butler, Steve Wohld, JP Anderson, Alison Puckett (remotely)
Guests: Dr. Lindsey Pollock, Sam Groberg (2:41 p.m.)
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Becky Butler outlined estimated costs for things the county would need to address and / or purchase
prior to opening to the public, including:
• Surface Pro or laptop dedicated to facilitating telemedicine appointments in Juvenile ($1,000)
• 8-10 laptops to allow for remote access for Juvenile employees ($10,000)
• Automated commercial BP machine, oximeter and pulse tracker for monitoring and recording
vital signs ($500 to $750)
• A negative airflow room to quarantine sick individuals from the Jail or Juvenile (cost unknown)
• Ultraviolet air filters for HVAC units ($70,000)
• Added custodial services in the L&J, Jail and Juvenile – contract or staff (HR would need to verify
we can have contract employees for union work)
• Public health and safety measures for offices that provide in-person customer service. She said
purchases would include PPE, Plexiglas barriers, office reconstruction to provide sufficient
separation of employees and customers. ($25,000. Becky noted that the majority of the costs
would be covered by Elections grant funds and Coronavirus Relief Funds.)
Becky estimated the total expenditures at $100,000. The commissioners approved incurring the costs
Becky had recapped.
Becky outlined costs that the state has indicated would qualify for reimbursement.
Becky said the Department of Commerce has indicated its funding is available as reimbursements. She
said Commerce is being asked to instead disperse the funding up front, rather than make cities and
counties foot the bill then ask for reimbursement.
Becky said the funding would be available on a reimbursement basis for costs incurred through Oct. 31.
She said the county would have to submit its final reimbursement request by Nov. 15. Dec. 31 would be
the state’s deadline.
Becky Butler listed the measures, products and services the Commerce funding could cover.
All three commissioners stressed that the funding should be front-loaded, noting that small
communities don’t have the funds available to extend.
Becky said the intent of the CARES Act was to provide direct funding, not set it up as reimbursable funds.
Commissioner Fund noted that the Department of Commerce director is appointed by the governor so
WSAC and others should advocate to the governor.
Becky said the state received $549 million under the CARES Act. She said the state has decided to hold
onto $249 million and make only $300 million available to local governments.
Becky said she will reach out to the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office to help develop interlocals.
Becky estimated a quick turn-around for reimbursement.
Becky said the county already has set up a fund of $800,000 to cover costs until the reimbursements are
available. She discussed possible cash-flow loans that could be set up.
Becky said the next steps will be to identify how to use the $4.3 million in CARES Act funding the county
is receiving and what the timeline for using it should be. She said she’d also like to start setting up grant
agreement contracts ahead of time.
Commissioner Stamper left at approximately 2:40 p.m.
Sam Groberg joined at 2:41 p.m.
Becky said she is putting together an overview of the county’s budget picture.
Meeting ended at 2:43 p.m.