According to the most recent @WVAuditor report as of June 29, there have been 185 applications submitted spanning the months March, April, May, June, totaling $53.9 million in requests. 106 applications have been approved, with $18.8 million going out the door. https://twitter.com/Sen_JoeManchin/status/1277977759306805248

In the Governor’s plan released last week for spending of the $1.25 billion CARES Act funds for state, county, and local governments, the state put aside $200 million for coronavirus-related reimbursements for cities and counties. Of that $200 million, 9.4% has been sent out.

As per the U.S. Treasury guidelines, the CARES Act funding must be available to cover coronavirus reimbursements for cities and counties through the end of Dec. 2020 - the next six months starting in July.

Also, by my count, 100 city governments, county governments, and related agencies (such as 911 centers, ambulance authorities, sanitation boards, etc.) sent in those 185 applications. Some sent in multiple applications or supplementals. 26 county commissions and 62 cities.

An area of legit complaint is the timing. While CARES Act funding to cities and counties is being pushed out at a regular pace now, there was a one-month lag.

The state received the first half of the $1.25 billion on April 16. The application portal for cities and counties to apply for CARES Act reimbursements wasn’t launched until May 15.

The state dragged its feet in the hopes of getting approval to use the funds for budget backfill. Guidance from the U.S. Treasury Department at the end of April said the money could not be used by state, county, or local governments for budget backfill - only COVID expenses.

Recap: $200 million of the $1.25 billion has been set aside for city/county COVID expense reimbursement. Out of 185 applications, 106 - or 57% - of applications have been approved with $18.8 million - 9.4% - of that $200 million already out the door.

26 out of 55 counties commissions have have applied. 62 out of 230 municipalities have applied. There’s still six months left for counties to submit reimbursements for monthly coronavirus-related expenses.

$53.9 million requested from 185 applications. 106 applications granted with $18.8 million in checks cut. So far, 34% of $53.9 million in CARES Act requests have been sent out, 57% of the 185 requests have been granted while the others are under review.

As for whether that’s too slow or not, I leave that to you to figure out. But I felt like some context was due. End of Thread.