On June 9, 2020, Council approved an Inter-Local Agreement with Dallas County whereby Addison became eligible for up to $894,465 in reimbursement under the CARES Act for authorized expenditures. On July 14, 2020, Council gave Staff direction on the creation of three CARES Act programs. These programs and their estimated funding are:
- Addison CARES Lease Mortgage Assistance Program ($500,000)
- Resident Assistance Program ($200,000)
- Public Health and Compliance Program ($200,000)
The Addison CARES Lease Mortgage Assistance Program received few eligible applications in Round 1 of funding. Second and third rounds of funding were opened under modified eligibility requirements to distribute funds to local businesses. Staff was approved by Dallas County to reallocate unused funds in this program to the Town's other programs and/or certain other eligible expenses.
The Resident Assistance Program was administered for the Town by Metrocrest Services. They enrolled, vetted and provided eligible Addison Residents with rent, food and utility assistance.
The Public Health and Compliance Program was designed to help keep Town facilities and services operational while dealing with the pandemic. The program funded facility disinfection and virus protection efforts, medical supplies, and telework equipment and services.
Through December 31, 2020, the Town submitted the following amounts for reimbursement:
- Addison CARES Lease/Mortgage Assistance Program $319,053.08
- Resident Assistance Program $180,934.45
- Public Health and Compliance Program (total- detail below) $327,750.55
- Public Space Disinfection $190,395.68
- Medical Supplies $ 34,176.11
- Telework $103,178.76
On December 27, 2020, with just a few business days remaining before the end of the original CARES Act performance period, the Act was amended to extend the performance period by an additional year. Based on this extension, Staff halted plans to submit an invoice for a 10% administrative fee that would have obtained reimbursement of all remaining funds (approximately $66,000).
Uses for the remaining funds include applying the funds toward the Resident Assistance Program or the Public Health and Compliance Program. The Town could also apply these funds toward an administrative fee paid to the Town for the management of the grant or to cover public safety salaries. While applying the remaining funds toward a fourth round of the Addison CARES Lease/ Mortgage Assistance Program is a possibility, it will require a significant administrative effort and approval from Dallas County. Lastly, the remaining funds could be reallocated to initiate a new program or programs allowed under the Act. However, Dallas County has requested that any such reallocation be completed by March 31, 2021.
For the sake of expediency and efficiency, Staff recommends utilizing the remaining funds to continue the Resident Assistance Program through Metrocrest Services until the funds are exhausted. |