The Emporia City Commission is inching closer toward formally approving a disbursal plan for recent COVID-19 relief funding amongst local businesses.
During their regular study session, Wednesday commissioners discussed the most effective method for said process. In previous meetings, commissioners settled on having an “even split” of funds based on full-time employee metrics (FTE).
During Wednesday’s meeting commissioner Rob Gilligan posed the question of whether or not there may be more effective options the commission has yet to consider. Gilligan’s proposal was not an effort to change the commission’s current course, but rather to ensure they are making the most impactful decision.
Commissioner Becky Smith feels the FTE metric is the most effective option to provide businesses with needed assistance as soon as possible.
Despite the lengthy debate, it appears as the city will continue to lean towards utilizing the FTE metric for its dispersal process. The city has a total of $167,000 in CDBG funds with $35,000 earmarked for meal assistance and $132,000 for economic development. A total of 16 businesses met funding requirements and have been approved to receive allocations.
Commissioners are set to vote on the disburse process during their upcoming action session next week. The hope is for dispersal to begin within the next 60 days.
In separate discussions, commissioners were given an update on recent SPARK/CARES Act allocations sent off to the state by Lyon County Commissioners for approval last week. The proposed county allocations have yet to be formally approved at the state level, however, as it currently stands the city is set to receive just over $525,000 for various city projects and reimbursements.
City consultant Jim Witt anticipates a final decision will be made at the state level by Sept. 15 at the latest. Witt stated he hopes the decision comes sooner, as the SPARK funds need to be spent by the end of the year and many of the proposed projects could potentially take significantly longer to complete.
Additional discussions Wednesday included a review of the city’s moderate-income housing program, recycling contract, potentially charging for the disposal of commercial business brush at the landfill, the city’s sidewalk enhancement policy and its contract with the Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The Emporia City Commission are scheduled to meet next Wednesday for an action session inside the Municipal Courtroom at White Auditorium.
