County Trying to Nab Several Covid Grants
All sorts of federal and state dollars are there for the asking for Texas counties amidst a host of pandemic relief funds.
And Thursday Fayette County leaders did their best to try to take advantage of those funds as the Commissioners Court, in their regular meeting, approved a host of grant applications.
The most interesting might be a $120,000 grant application the commissioners authorized from the Help America Vote Act.
County Judge Joe Weber asked Elections Administrator Terri Hefner, “We’re not going to buy $120,000 in hand sanitizer are we?”
No, Hefer confirmed. Rather, if they get the award she hopes to use it to expand early voting opportunities for this fall’s general election, with much of those funds going to pay election workers.
Hefner said she wants to have all 26 county voting precincts open, but she said amidst the pandemic concerns she’s already having trouble finding election workers for the July run-off (with consolidated precincts) much less for a full scale fall election.
The commissioners also approved an application for Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) funds that would be used for repairs at the county airport.
Then the commissioners approved an application for the Coronavirus Relief Fund for between $60,000-$70,000 that would covers expenses for hand sanitizer, personal protection equipment that have already been purchased. The funds would also cover overtime expenses incurred by the Sheriff’s Office for work they have done at testing sites.
COVID-19 Supplies
Also Thursday, Emergency Management Coordinator Craig Moreau gave his report about coronavirus and in addition to updating the commissioners on the latest numbers, he also said local doctors are reporting increased testing but diminished testing supplies. Moreau said he’s requested additional testing supplies from the state, including rapid result testing supplies, and also improved body armor for the sheriff’s department in the aftermath of increased nationwide protests against police. It was at that point that County Judge Joe Weber complimented local law enforcement officials for the way they have worked with community members during recent local protests.
Police Protests
Commissioner Harvey Berckenhoff then said “it’s been embarrassing to see the abuse” that law enforcement officials nationally have been undergoing amidst some of the protests. Berckenhoff asked Lt. David Beyer, who was in attendance at the meeting asked if local law enforcement had faced any of that backlash or have been called on to assist any other departments that have, and Beyer said they have not.