City Of San Antonio Launches COVID-19 Relief Funds Survey

San Antonio TX

01 December, 2021

10:36 AM

Description

Press release from the City of San Antonio: November 18, 2021 CONTACT: Laura Mayes [email protected]; 210-207-1337 Kristy Hernandez [email protected]; 210-207-3919 SAN ANTONIO (November 18, 2021) — Beginning today, residents can share their ideas for the use of COVID-19 relief funds through a brief SASpeakUp survey. Several hundred residents have voiced their priorities for these funds at a series of town hall meetings across the city. The funds were awarded to the City through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Residents without access to the Internet may call 311 to complete the survey. Community feedback will be shared with City Council at a December 9, 2021 briefing. City Council will ultimately adopt a plan for the use of these funds in January of 2022. "We've heard many ideas for how to use these funds over the course of several town hall meetings. Our residents have candidly shared the way COVID-19 has impacted them, from the loss of loved ones, isolation, mental health issues and financial turmoil," said City Manager Erik Walsh. "They've also shared how they envision deploying ARPA funds to address immediate community needs and invest in long-term projects to help our community. I'd like to invite everyone to participate in this survey and share their ideas with us." The brief survey can be completed by visiting www.saspeakup.com/arpasurvey. Residents may also call 311 to complete the survey. The survey is open through December 1, 2021. The City of San Antonio was awarded $326.9M under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). ARPA funds are being provided to state and local governments to help communities recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds are being allocated in two installments, the first was received in May 2021 and the second one will be received in May 2022. The funds must be obligated by December 31, 2024 and spent by December 31, 2026. The United States Treasury Department has four categories of eligible uses of ARPA funds. Response to the negative impact of COVID-19 Government services to the extent of revenue loss Premium pay for essential workers Investment in water, sewer and broadband infrastructure As part of the Fiscal Year 2022 Budget, the City allocated $97.5 million in ARPA funds to stabilize the City budget and address immediate needs. The balance of ARPA funds, which is $229.4 million will be allocated with Council and Community input. The City will apply five guiding principles to the development of this plan, including: Address critical and urgent community needs Investments in one-time projects (expended by 2026) Transformational projects Investments to address inequities and root causes of disparities Leverage partnerships with partners This press release was produced by the City of San Antonio. The views expressed here are the author's own.