Sentinel staff report–
The City of Citrus Heights is slated to receive an estimated $15.9 million from the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan passed by congress this year.
According to a presentation to the City Council by Congressman Ami Bera following a budget meeting Thursday night, the city will receive 50% of the federal money by May 11, and the rest within 12 months.
The city plans to pass a two-year budget on April 22 which does not account for federal funding. The city manager’s office has said the budget will be revised later this summer once COVID relief money has been received and more is known about what restrictions are put on the funds.
The city’s general fund budget for the next fiscal year currently includes revenue projections of just under $39 million, not including any federal relief funds.
Bera said the city will largely have discretion where to spend the money, but specific guidelines have still not been released at the federal level. He listed several eligible uses like hazard pay increases of up to $13 per hour for essential city employees, replacement of revenue lost due to the pandemic, costs associated with responding to the pandemic, and investments in water, sewer and broadband infrastructure.
Funding pensions with the money are a specifically prohibited use, the congressman said.
The funding comes at a time when the city is strapped for cash, with dwindling reserves and a $3 million cut proposed for police services in next year’s budget. Several council members have expressed hope that some of the relief funds will be able to help boost the Police Department’s budget, although the mayor has cautioned that the money will be a one-time influx of cash rather than an ongoing revenue source to cover hiring of new officers.
For more on the city’s budget, see article: Discussion during Citrus Heights budget meeting gets heated
Sentinel staff report--
The City of Citrus Heights is slated to receive an estimated $15.9 million from the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan passed by congress this year.
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