Borough Assembly to consider new CARES Act spending

The Mat-Su Borough has just over six weeks to spend remaining funds from the federal CARES Act.  One major part of the borough’s plan for that money has now been ruled out, and they are working on ways to spend the funds in ways that are allowed by federal guidelines.

The initial plan was to split the borough’s $38 million into three parts.  Small business and nonprofit grants received about a third, as did borough operations.  The third program, which would have given borough residents $100 each for affirming that they incurred extra expense due to the pandemic, was nixed by the U.S. Department of Treasury.  Mat-Su Borough Assembly Member Stephanie Nowers explains that the new guidance said per-capita grants would require an individual assessment of need for each applicant.

“So the bar for doing that individual assessment of need as opposed to how we were going to do it, which was just to give $100 to people who received PFDs and as long as they checked a box they would get it…the paperwork associated with doing [an individual needs assessment].  And if we don’t do it, the borough is at risk for having to pay that money back.”

Deeming the federal requirements too steep, the borough placed the ten million dollars set aside for individual grants back into the pool of available funds.  There was some good news for borough officials in updated guidance as well.  Wages for firefighters and dispatchers would be allowable spending for CARES Act money.  Now, a new plan will head to the assembly at Tuesday’s meeting.  In addition to funding allowable payroll, the borough plans to stock up on cleaning supplies and extend programs like waiving credit card fees for online transactions.  Borough Chief Financial Officer Cheyenne Heindel says they are trying to look ahead for what may be needed in the months after the new year begins.

“We’re trying to pre-position ourselves for January. Because the way it looks, we’re not going to be done with this on December 30^th when this money goes away. So we’re trying to set ourselves up for the best possible outcome.”

Some individual relief may still be coming, even with the additional federal restrictions.  Specifically, the Mat-Su Borough is looking at ways to help those struggling with utility bills due to the pandemic. By working with utility companies like Enstar and Matanuska Electric Association, Cheyenne Heindel says the borough hopes to utilize needs assessments that have already been done.

“Individuals had to apply to those utilities saying their reasons for being delinquent were COVID-related. So we are going to rely on the utilities to give us that amount…and once this is passed we should be able to turn around fairly quickly, working with MEA and Enstar, in getting those accounts taken care of.”

The resolution before the Assembly on Tuesday would spend over six million dollars in CARES Act funds, meaning there is still more available that must be spent by the end of the year.  Stephanie Nowers says there is still an opportunity for new ideas that would fit within federal guidelines.

“I also know that the borough staff have done a fine-toothed job to try to find other places for that funding.  Also, if there’s thoughts the community has…that is always welcome.”

The Mat-Su Borough Assembly will meet Tuesday at 6:00 pm.  A live stream of the meeting is available through Big Cabbage Radio and on the borough website.