Montgomery County commissioners allocate remaining CARES Act funding

The Montgomery County Commissioners Court agreed with a 3-1 vote to allocate the county's remaining $8.9 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act funding during a Dec. 15 meeting.

The remainder of the money is being allocated to cover public safety expenses through the first quarter of 2021.

Montgomery County Auditor Rakesh Pandey said the original request had been for up to around $13.1 million.

"This request is to the extent that we have available funds," Pandey said. "In the end, when we do the finalization. ... It doesn't mean that we are going to have $13.1 million available."

Montgomery County Budget Officer Amanda Carter said if the county is aware other contracts that have been awarded CARES Act funding that will not use the full amount, the remainder can be transferred to help cover the public safety expenses if approved in this manner.

Precinct 3 Commissioner James Noack cast the dissenting vote.

CARES Act funding is required to be allocated before Dec. 31, and Montgomery County has largely used its funding for area schools and public safety expenses. The county also recently approved reimbursements to municipalities for expenses incurred throughout the pandemic.