San Marcos City Council members learned details about a partnership between the city and Hays County at a July 7 meeting that could advance coronavirus testing efforts.



The proposed COVID-19 Testing Program would receive $105,530 in funding from the Community Development Block Grant for Coronavirus Response coming through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.



Meeting testing demand in the community through the COVID-19 Testing Program could include additional testing kits, sampling site staffing, cost of lab testing and flexibility to use the allocated funds for any other elements that could be needed for testing.



The proposed COVID-19 Testing Program will be open for public comment from July 12-17, at which time staff will have the ability to conduct more research and explore the most effective option to advance testing efforts with the county.



City Council members will take formal action on the testing program at an Aug. 4 meeting.


Of the $425,261 CDBG-CV funds awarded to the city to help prepare and respond for the impacts brought by the coronavirus, $255,000 were allocated to the COVID-19 Small Business Recovery Program and a program proposed by the Court Appointed Special Advocates at a June 16 meeting.