LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — The Lexington Fayette Urban County Government will use more than $9.3 million in CARES Act funding to cover costs incurred throughout the response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The funding was approved by the state and will include the reimbursement of the purchase of personal protective equipment, telework equipment and payroll expenses for police and firefighters, according to Charlie Lanter, Lexington Director of Grants and Special Programs.
More than $6 million will go toward reimbursing the city's economic contingency fund, he said.
"Urban County Council was able, because they knew these funds were coming, was able to fund the affordable housing fund in the city's budget and was able to fund an economic development program for small businesses, was able to support social services and nonprofits in town," Lanter said.
The funding helps with the city's financial situation, he said, but it remains strained.
The Urban County Council has the ability to request up to $25 million in CARES Act funding from the state, he said, and he expects it will be needed.
"We'll have a plan for the remaining balance of that because we know that our expenses responding to coronavirus are continuing and will continue for some time and they're definitely gonna be more than $25 million," he said.
The Urban County Council's next meeting is scheduled for August 13.
