"Anything that is COVID-19-related is how those funds will be used, and we do expect all those funds to be reimbursable," Mayor Sylvester Turner said.
In March, the city declared a state of disaster, which clears red tape for certain processes, such as securing bids for equipment and leases. It also makes those expenses easier to identify for federal reimbursements, Turner said.
Houston City Council approved the transfer April 1, along with a purchase of $64,000 worth of hand sanitizer and two hotel leases for quarantine sites reserved for homeless residents and first responders.
In May, Houston will begin its fiscal year 2020-21 budget process, which will be further strained by lower sales tax revenue and emergency demands, Houston City Controller Chris Brown said.
