Council approves CARES Act expenditures

DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — Finance Administrator Hayden Wiggins reported Monday (Aug. 3) the city has received approximately $51,000 of the $169,000 allocated by the federal government under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Wiggins also presented a spread sheet for council that shows how the funds are being used to respond to the COVID -19 pandemic. He said he expects to receive a second payment in two or three months and the final payment by the end of the year.

Items that qualify for CARES Act funding include personal protective equipment (PPE), hand sanitizer, face shields, cameras for virtual meetings, touchless faucets in restrooms. Wiggins said approximately $30,000 to $40,000 has been spent on those items so far.

Council then unanimously approved those expenditures and to authorize future CARES Act spending.

Council moved forward with a decade’s long tradition of not imposing a property tax on citizens.  The decision will be made official at the next meeting on Aug. 17. The city relies on its share of LOST and SPLOST proceeds as well as fees for services in order to operate.