Finance Committee discusses Covid funds

The Mississippi County Finance committee met May 17 and discussed the possible uses for the American Rescue Fund.

Under the plan from President Biden, Mississippi County is set to receive $7.9 million over a 3 to 5 year span.

The plan’s objective is to address public health and economic challenges brought by COVID-19, such as support for vital public services and stabilization for households and businesses.

The county will have a total of three years to spend the revenue but justices are brainstorming ideas for the funds now.

The plan in total will distribute $350 billion to state, local and territorial governments across the country.

With each local governing body receiving funds, and the state legislature already working toward improving broadband infrastructure, county treasurer Peggy Meatte cautioned the county against overextending in any certain issue.

“We don’t want to overlap a lot of this spending,” Meatte said.

She also mentioned how the governor’s office elected to create a committee to help find the best ways to spend the funds from this relief plan.

One idea that floated throughout the meeting was ventilation systems throughout the county to eliminate cross ventilation, reducing the spread of COVID-19.

“We could look at our health units, the jail, courthouses and so on, to self-contain each office. That way one office doesn't affect any other,” Justice Rick Ash said.

In other news, the committee:

● approved $2500 to the juvenile office for the At-Risk Program.

● approved a motion for $15,000 to the finance management office to continue the transition to a new software program.

● approved an additional $750,000 for the courthouse project.