The Village of Flossmoor is expecting to see some coronavirus relief funds coming its way soon thanks to the federal CARES Act pandemic relief fund.
The village board voted unanimously Sept. 21 to approve an intergovernmental agreement with Cook County that paves the way for Flossmoor to claim $209,789.61 from the U.S. Department of Treasury via the county.
The program is designed to reimburse municipalities for costs associated with the coronavirus response.
Public Works Director John Brunke noted in a report to Village Manager Bridget Wachtel that the village has assumed expenses for personal protective equipment (PPE), temperature-taking stations and Plexiglas partitions in relation to COVID-19 prevention efforts. But the allocations also can be used to reimburse salary and benefits for police and fire, in addition to overtime, Brunke said.
Flossmoor intends to request the full amount of the allocation by submitting the police department’s payroll expenses during the declared disaster period.
“We will max out this allocation amount,” Brunke told the board.
Trustee Diane Williams said there is more good news: Cook County has to move these funds by the end of the year. So the village should see the relief soon.
“They want to get the money out the door,” she said.
Brunke said: “It could be as early as within a month to get the money.”
Mayor Paul Braun noted staff has been working hard with county and federal officials to determine how to best administer the funds.
“It’s very good news. We will be able to expend all of the funds that have been afforded to us,” he said.
Braun also noted there are still questions about what will happen to funds that have been allocated but cannot be claimed by other municipalities. He said Flossmoor will keep track of whether those funds will be reallocated and available to the village.
Flossmoor also is seeking reimbursements through FEMA/IEMA, which cover 75 percent of eligible expenses. Brunke noted there is no maximum dollar amount for the possible allocation but both the reimbursement process and expenses are “far more stringent.”
Brunke noted in that case overtime labor is eligible, but not “straight-time expenses” for police and fire.
Brunke reported officials are doing further paperwork.