MANSFIELD — It appears Richland County may be able to use federal COVID-19 relief funds to help pay safety forces salaries, Commissioner Tony Vero said Thursday.
The county is expected to receive an estimated $2 million as part of the CARES Act approved in March. Commissioners discussed the money on June 2, but expressed concerns about restrictions on how the funds could be used.
Speaking during the commissioners’ meeting, Vero said he has looked at the guidelines and spoken to federal and state officials. He now believes the money could be used to pay for sheriff’s department deputies, corrections officers and 9-1-1 dispatchers.
“From all the guidance we are getting, the CARES Act can be applied to safety,” Vero said. “There is some opportunity here. You can’t use the CARES Act to blatantly fill revenue shortfalls, but you can use it to augment (expenses).
“Kudos to the federal government who heard from local government,” Vero said. “There is some silver lining.”
Vero said commissioners may discuss forming a CARES Act committee to discuss options for spending the money when it arrives.
The funds would come in handy to county government, which relies heavily on sales tax for its general fund. Vero said Thursday he is projecting the county will be about $1 million short of its revenue projections over the next three months.
There is about a three-month lag between the time state government collects the sales tax and when it disburses it, Vero said, meaning the revenue received this summer will reflect March, April and May.
Gov. Mike DeWine issued a stay-at-home order on March 22 when the COVID-19 pandemic began, ordering non-essential businesses to close.
“We are now beginning to see the effects of COVID-19. The chickens are coming home to roost on the sales tax side,” Vero said, suggesting commissioners will meet with other county elected officials in July to discuss revenues and expenses.
Richland County began 2020 with a $4.8 million budget carryover and also has a $1.3 million rainy day fund. Commissioners have asked other elected officials to watch expenses, but have not enacted in specific budget cuts related to a loss in revenue.
Also on Thursday, commissioners approved the new five-year plan for the Richland County Solid Waste District, which could include a litter control enforcement officer.
According to the 210-page plan, a litter patrol officer in the sheriff’s department could be created that would help enforce illegal dumping and other violations within the county, including the City of Mansfield.
When Mansfield City Council approved the plan May 19, Mayor Tim Theaker praised the potential position.
“The Solid Waste District has the money. It’s in the plan. This (deputy) could work with the courts and get (violators) prosecuted and reduce illegal dumping in this area, especially in the city,” Theaker said.
Commissioner Darrell Banks was non-committal, saying the sheriff’s department has many current tasks.
Vero said if there is a desire by the local Solid Waste Management District to increase enforcement, it would require a meeting with commissioners, the district and the sheriff’s department.
The Solid Waste Management District is largely self-funded through tipping fees paid at a landfill in the northern part of the county, as well as fees paid by residents to dispose of certain larger or electronic items.
