FRANKFORT, Ky. – City and county governments will share in a $300 million award as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act to help deal with expenses brought on by the coronavirus 

Gov. Andy Beshear (D) announced the award Wednesday. The money will be administered by the Department for Local Government (DLG) and can be used for reimbursements of expenses necessary to meet public health guidelines. 

Eligible local governments with COVID-19-related expenses from March 1, 2020, to Dec. 30, 2020, must complete an application with expense documentation; the application will be available on DLG’s website tomorrow at 8 a.m. (EDT).

The money will be given to city and county governments based on approximate population size as recorded in the most recent census data.

“Local governments have been instrumental in the fight against COVID-19 and are a lifeline in our local communities,” said Beshear. “During this fight, they have sacrificed so much to protect others by supplying PPE, enforcing guidelines, keeping the public informed and looking out for our most vulnerable. This funding will help them better protect all Kentuckians.”

DLG Commissioner Dennis Keene noted city and county governments have stepped up during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Our local governments are on the front lines of this pandemic, sacrificing to keep Kentuckians safe. This funding is critical in the continued fight against COVID-19,” said Commissioner Keene.

The U.S. Department of Treasury has outlined specific guidelines and examples of eligible reimbursements for funding through CARES, which was enacted by the U.S. Congress to stimulate the economy and provide financial relief for those addressing the public health emergency.

Guidelines include that expenses:

• Are necessary expenditures incurred due to the public health emergency with respect to COVID–19
• Were not accounted for in the budget most recently approved as of March 27, 2020
• Were incurred during the period that begins on March 1, 2020, and ends on Dec. 30, 2020

Eligible reimbursements may include but are not limited to: the purchase of personal protective equipment for health and safety employees; expenses for communication and enforcement by governments for COVID-19-related public health orders; expenses for food delivery to nursing homes and vulnerable populations; improvements necessary for public employees to telework to comply with public health precautions; expenses for disinfection of public spaces and facilities; and payroll expenses for public safety, public health, health care, human services and similar employees who dedicated substantial time to mitigating or responding to the public health emergency.